The House and Senate have convened, and the House has welcomed a temporary member, Howard G. “J.R.” Van Tassel, who is filling in for Rep. John Rusche, D-Lewiston, while Rusche’s wife, Kay, is undergoing cancer treatment. Rusche expects to be gone for at least two weeks; Lewiston Tribune reporter Bill Spence reports that Rusche plans to have Lewiston School Board trustee Brad Cuddy will fill in next week, and if necessary, Van Tassel will fill in again the following week. “Both have assured me they will do what's best for the people of District 6,” Rusche told Spence; you can read Spence’s full post here. Van Tassel served 13 years as county commissioner and seven years on the Lewiston City Council.