PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The political fundraising season begins this week for state lawmakers.

In keeping with State House tradition, the House Speaker -- Gordon D. Fox -- will hold the first of many legislative fundraisers to come with a $200-a-ticket event at the Providence Marriott on Tuesday.

If the past is any indication of the future, the event, and all of the leadership fundraisers that follow, will draw a fleet of lobbyists.

Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed, D-Newport, plans a $200 fundraiser at the Marriott on Feb. 3. Next up is House Majority Leader Nicholas Mattiello, D-Cranston, with a $150-a-head event at the same location on Feb. 15, followed by Senate Majority Leader Dominick Ruggerio, D-Providence, March 2, at the Roger Williams Park Casino. (The ticket price could not immediately be determined.)

As of his last report to the state Board of Elections, Fox had $132,644 in his personal campaign account. Paiva Weed had $7,060; Mattiello, $33,666 and Ruggerio, $5,015.

A glance at Fox's last report to the state Board of Elections shows where much of the House speaker's money goes: to the care and feeding of other state representatives.

His last report covered the four weeks ending on Nov. 29. The biggest item on his $10,159 expense tab for that period was the $1,832 he paid for a buffet dinner at the Democratic caucus he called at the Asian Palace in Providence, days after the election, to cement support for his leadership team and his own reelection as speaker. His report also reflects lunches and dinners with one or more "reps" at other favorite spots, such as Capriccio in Providence.