HARRISBURG (AP) - Pennsylvania state legislators chalked up nearly $14 million in expenses last year.

That's about the same as the 2013 total, but The Morning Call newspaper reported Monday that expenses filed by House members increased by 5 percent while Senate expenses declined by 14 percent. Expenses include meals, lodging and other costs individual lawmakers deem essential. Capital purchases are excluded.Among the items that pushed the House total to about $11 million were increases in bulk mailings.A spokesman for the House Democratic minority says that's common in the second year of a legislative session, when lawmakers send out more newsletters to update constituents about developments in Harrisburg. It's also when many representatives and senators are running for re-election.Senate officials attributed their lower expenses to ongoing staff reductions.