The Lexington Herald-Leader reports the state General Assembly spent about $2.4-million on out-of-state travel during the last three years.

The paper reports lawmakers took 742 trips with an average cost of $1,697, including $755 in salary payments and $942 for travel expenses.

The newspaper reports 17 lawmakers were paid more than $20,000 each for all of their out-of-state trips.

Senate President David Williams and House Speaker Greg Stumbo said last week that educational conferences and fact-finding trips are important for lawmakers in tackling Kentucky's problems.

But both agreed with critics who want the legislature to be thriftier.