ALBANY – New York State legislators spent $7 million in taxpayer funds to mail newsletters to constituents ahead of last year’s elections, according to a new report.

State senators spent $3.8 million of that for bulk mailings and the Assembly members spent $3.2 million for the postage costs, from April 1 through Sept. 30, 2016, according to SeeThroughNY, a government-spending database published by the Empire Center.

The previous year’s costs – when the lawmakers were not running for office – ran just over $4 million.

The newsletters typically tout the work and accomplishment of lawmakers.

The totals don’t count the cost of paper and printing. The Assembly spent $1.6 million on printing equipment, according to the group.

Senate Republicans led the pack with the highest spending on postage, with Sen. Kenneth LaValle, of Suffolk, doling out nearly $149,000 on postage fees in the six-month period and Sen. Carl Marcellino, of Nassau, spending just over $131,000 on the mailings during that time.

Some of the most competitive Senate races last year were on Long Island.

“The Republicans have made it an art form to use taxpayer money to further their political goals,” said Mike Murphy, a spokesman for Senate Democrats. “It is outrageous and just further proof of a broken Albany system.”

Senate GOP Majority spokesman Scott Reif defended the practice, saying it’s important for members of the legislature to let their constituent know about the work they do in Albany. He added that the Senate releases the spending figures publicly for transparency.

© 2017 New York Post