FARGO (AP) - State Democratic lawmakers say an unofficial trade mission to Antiqua by five Republican legislators shows the need to monitor trips outside the state.

The representatives went to the island nation for four days earlier this month to explore possible sites for Internet poker. Antigua licenses Internet gambling companies.

Rep. Jim Kasper, R-Fargo, who has been promoting Internet poker, said there was "absolutely nothing" wrong with the trip, which was financed by the Antiguan government.

"My colleagues and myself took time off our jobs to look for ways to help the people of North Dakota - at no expense to the taxpayers," Kasper said Tuesday. "Ask them (Democrats) how much money the taxpayers have paid for trips they have taken outside the state of North Dakota since they have been in office."

Rick Gion, state Democratic Party spokesman, said lawmakers should be required to receive authorization for trips that are financed by private sources.

"We don't have a problem with privately funded trips, but people need to know why they're taking them and what's going on," Gion said.