The kickoff for the legislative fundraising season traditionally begins with a gala event in January to raise money for the House Speaker.

But not this year.

Having already served notice that he is not running for reelection, and hinted that he may step down before this year is out, House Speaker William J. Murphy has ceded the honor of the first fundraiser to his chosen successor: House Majority Leader Gordon D. Fox, D-Providence.

Asked why he was forgoing his annual fundraiser, Murphy said: "I don't think it would be appropriate to have a fundraiser since I am not running for reelection." Asked how long after Governor Carcieri lays out his budget-proposal on Feb. 2 he might leave, Murphy quipped: "It depends on how bad it is."

Fox has booked his first big fundraiser of the year for Feb. 3 at the Providence Marriott; Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed's is a day later at the Crowne Plaza.

-- Katherine Gregg