By Joe Hadsall

Globe columnist

Rep. Steve Hunter, R-Joplin, is once again the area’s top receiver of lobbyists’ attention, according to the latest reports on file with the Missouri Ethics Commission.

Hunter received $581.40 in meals, food and beverage from 16 different lobbyists. The largest expenditure of $168.82 came from lobbyist Ross M. Nichols, who represents the Missouri Motor Carriers Association.

He also received an $82 meal from lobbyist Gary Marble of Associated Industries of Missouri, and a $49 meal from James E. Farrell, who represents 12 different organizations.

Though this is Hunter’s last year in the House, lobbyists didn’t think of him as a lame duck. This is the second month in a row where Hunter has topped area legislators in lobbyist giving.

As we reported last month, Hunter is term-limiting out of the House this year, and is not pursuing another statewide office. According to paperwork on file with the MEC, Hunter is preparing a run for the Carl Junction R-1 Board of Education in April 2009.

Others considering a run for that board may have to contend with a sizable campaign. Hunter had a war chest of $25,224.85, according to his Grassroots for Hunter committee report from July 2007. In October of that year, the committee was terminated, but the report does not show where the rest of that money went.

His wife, Rita Hunter, is running for Jasper County public administrator. Rita Hunter’s committee reports indicate she has only $484 on hand for her campaign as of April; new reports must be filed by July 15. Rita Hunter is also listed as the treasurer for Grassroots for Hunter.

Other area legislators received the following from lobbyists in April, according to the MEC:

n Rep. Ed Emery, R-Lamar, received $182.92 in meals, food and beverages from eight different lobbyists. The largest expenditure of $36.03 came from Nancy L. Giddens, who represents Kansas City groups such as the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, Hallmark Cards, Aquila and Eli Lilly and Co.

n Speaker-elect Ron Richard, R-Joplin, received $447.72 in meals, lodging and entertainment from 13 different lobbyists. Lobbyist David Winton spent the most on Richard, including $147.73 in St. Louis lodging, $65 in meals and $124 in tickets to a show at the Fox Theater (the report indicates Richard paid Winton back for the theater tickets). Winton represents 28 clients, including Pfizer, AT&T, CoxHealth and the Parents as Teachers National Center.

n Rep. Marilyn Ruestman, R-Joplin, received $162.31 in meals, food and beverage from 10 different lobbyists. The largest expenditure of $36.03 was from Giddens.

n Rep. Bryan Stevenson, R-Webb City, received $161.94 in meals, food and beverage from five different lobbyists. The largest expenditure of $80.25 was from Kathryn Ann Harness, who represents 13 different groups, such as the Missouri Beer Wholesalers Association, Missourians for Open and Accountable Judicial Selection, the American Lung Association and Goodrich Quality Theaters. Stevenson shared a $17 meal at the home of lobbyist David Welch, who represents the Missouri Gaming Commission. Lobbyist Gene McNary, who also represents the MGC, also reported a $17 expenditure at Welch’s home. It was not immediately clear if that was the same expenditure reported twice.

n Rep. Kevin Wilson, R-Neosho, received $110.25 in meals from five different lobbyists. The largest expenditure of $35.72 came from Angela M. Hull, who represents the Missouri State Teachers Association. (A correction concerning Wilson: I reported about a month ago that he received $32 in March for Mizzou basketball tickets. That same report indicates he paid MU lobbyist Mary C. Tallarico back for those tickets.)