JEFFERSON CITY - Rep. Marilyn Ruestman had a chance to run the show at the Missouri House of Representatives Thursday.
Ruestman, R-Joplin, presided over the House as Speaker Thursday morning, overseeing debates on several agriculture-related bills.
"It's an honor to be asked to do it," Ruestman said.
House Speaker Catherine Hanaway occasionally appoints another member to serve as Speaker in her absence. Ruestman said she had been asked several times to fill in before, but this was the first time she accepted.
Dozens of county commissioners from around the state also converged on the Capitol Thursday -- in town to attend training sessions at an adjacent hotel. The commissioners visited the House chamber Thursday morning to observe the proceedings and mingle with local representatives.
Commissioners from Jasper, Newton and McDonald counties were in attendance, and were recognized by the House as special guests. Ruestman said she was glad the local commissioners had a chance to see one of their own heading up the proceedings.
"It was an added pleasure to have the folks from my district there today," Ruestman said.
The House action focused on agriculture, including one bill to change a water pollution law to exclude agricultural run-offs. The bill passed by a large margin, and will now make its way to the Senate for consideration.
Ruestman said she favored the bill, but wanted guarantees that Missouri would have clean water.
"If we're going to feed the world, then this (concentrated animal farms) is something we'll have to learn to deal with," she said. "I think we can bring people together to find a balance."
Ruestman sits on a special joint committee devoted to studying the poultry industry in Missouri -- and finding common ground between members of environmental groups, poultry businesses, and other interested parties. The committee recently issued a 40-page report analyzing how much poultry waste is washing into Missouri streams, and what can be done about it.