PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- For state legislators, the holiday-celebration season begins this Sunday with an "open-house'' that House Speaker Gordon D. Fox and House Majority Leader Nicholas Mattiello are hosting at Camille's Restaurant on Federal Hill.
Gone are the days when leaders hosted such events, at state expense, at the State House. Now they're charged to the campaign accounts of House and Senate leaders.
House spokesman Larry Berman said invitations went to all 75 newly-elected and returning members of the House, Republicans and Democrats. The event will mark the first time most, if not all, have gathered in one place since the Nov. 6 election.
Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed is hosting a "holiday gathering'' for "members of the Senate and their guests'' at the Newport Hyatt Dec. 20.