Limbaugh is asset to Missouri's top court

Next Tuesday, the Missouri Supreme Court will have a new chief justice. Ronnie L. White of St. Louis will begin a two-year term as the state's top judicial administrator, a position that rotates among the court's seven judges.

Ending his two-year stint as chief justice is Stephen N. Limbaugh Jr. of Cape Girardeau, who was appointed to the court in 1992 by then-governor John Ashcroft. Over the years, Limbaugh has distinguished himself as an able jurist and has further honed his administrative skills as chief justice.

The chief justice's position carries with it the responsibility for overseeing the state's judicial branch with 3,600 employees and an annual budget of $160 million. Limbaugh has earned a reputation in the Missouri Legislature for keeping the entire state budget -- extremely tight these past two years -- in mind when making requests for the judicial branch.

Limbaugh has two more years to go on his current 12-year term and plans to remain on the court -- unless he is tapped for a federal post, as has been rumored recently. Missourians have been well-served by Limbaugh throughout what has turned into a distinguished legal career.