Núñez took the brunt of the criticism Friday - though no one suggested he had done anything illegal - but government watchdogs also questioned what they consider to be lax campaign expenditure rules that allow lawmakers to use their campaign funds in ways that many would characterize as only loosely related to state business. Some continue to call for tighter regulations, but they also are aware that lawmakers are not likely to embrace the idea and that, even if they did, there always seems to be a loophole. A spokeswoman for Núñez said his expenditures were entirely legal. Núñez told the Times his travel is "not only justified but necessary for the decisions I need to make on a daily basis." Critics, however, said the expenditures are questionable, in part because they were made possible by large donations from special interests with business in front of the Legislature - including $290,000 from health insurers, just as the Legislature is considering health care reform. California law requires that campaign fund expenditures be reasonably related to a political, legislative or governmental purpose. A San Jose Mercury news story