State Representative Lisa Durnell Capitol Report

Dear Constituents,

I want to start by saying that it has been great to be back in the district following the end of Governor Kehoe’s Special Session earlier this month.

To keep this report as short and sweet as possible, I want to inform our community that I did vote no on the stadium funding bill because I did not think it was in the best interests of our citizens to funnel taxpayer money to billionaires to build new stadiums. I also objected on several Constitutional grounds. If you're interested in my complete thoughts on this legislation and this month's Special Session, I wrote an op-ed that I am happy to share with anyone interested.

Please email or call my office, and we will gladly share it with you.

However, for this report, I want to focus on the future. We are still awaiting Governor Kehoe’s potential action on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 budget that was passed by both the House and Senate. We expect the Governor will take action on the budget by the time this report is published.

As my office and I continue to prepare for the next Legislative Session, I once again want to encourage anyone with ideas to call or email my office or find me out in the district to discuss those. I mentioned in my last report that my office would be sending out information regarding where you can find me in the district in the coming days and weeks. I want to reiterate that we still plan on sending out that information now that I am truly back in the district for a few months. Please expect more information from my office on this in the coming days and weeks.

I also want to mention that I will be speaking with several organizations in our district in the coming days and months as I continue to learn more about the issues our district faces. Please contact my office if you would like to request my attendance at your organization's event. I am always happy to discuss legislative goals and priorities with the people of our great community.

I also want to remind you that if you have any issues with state government that my office can assist you with, please don’t hesitate to contact us. I have been working with several state agencies to address issues faced by the people of our community including taxes, roadways, MO HealthNet, and more. If you have a problem with a state agency, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Lastly, I just want to inform our community that Speaker Jon Patterson has formed a Special Interim Committee on Property Tax Reform that will be meeting in different locations around the state to discuss potential reforms to property taxes. Currently, the closest location to our community is Lebanon. If you would like to provide public testimony to the committee in Lebanon, they will meet on July 23rd. Unfortunately, as of now, we don’t have a time set for their convening. As the day gets closer, more information can be found at house.mo.gov or you can feel free to contact our office to see if a time has been set.

More information on the committee as well as other state government happenings can be found below.

 

Missouri State Capitol News

Special Interim Committee on Property Tax Reform Begins Work

The Missouri House of Representatives has formed a Special Interim Committee on Property Tax Reform to evaluate the state’s current system and recommend improvements aimed at protecting taxpayers and supporting local governments.

Speaker Jon Patterson appointed Rep. Tim Taylor (R-Bunceton) as Chair of the committee, with Rep. Rodger Reedy (R-Windsor) serving as Vice-Chair and Rep. Kathy Steinhoff (D-Columbia) as Ranking Minority Member. The 20-member committee will hold hearings in the coming weeks to gather public input and explore legislative reforms focused on fairness, transparency, and long-term sustainability.

Public hearings are scheduled for the following dates:

- July 16 – Jefferson City (State Capitol, House Hearing Room 3)

- July 23 – Lebanon

- July 30 – TBD

- August 13 – TBD

- August 20 – TBD

- September 3 – Jefferson City

Final locations for the July 30, August 13, and August 20 hearings will be announced soon, with visits expected in St. Louis, Kansas City, and Chillicothe.

Committee members will hear directly from citizens and stakeholders as they develop policy recommendations for the upcoming legislative session. For updates on the committee's work and hearing details, please visit

house.mo.gov.

 

Governor Kehoe Appoints Members to New St. Louis Police Board

Following the passage of House Bill 495 during the 2024 legislative session, Governor Mike Kehoe has officially announced appointments to the newly established St. Louis City Board of Police Commissioners. This citizen-led board, created through landmark public safety legislation, now serves as the governing body of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD).

HB 495 reestablished a locally rooted oversight structure to enhance transparency, accountability, and public trust in policing. Under the law, the board includes six members: the Mayor of St. Louis, four voting members appointed by the Governor who reside in the city, and one non-voting member who either lives in or owns property in the city.

Governor Kehoe’s appointees bring a broad range of civic, business, and community leadership experience:

- Brad Arteaga, entrepreneur and community leader – 1-year term (voting)

- Sonya Jenkins-Gray, former HR director for the City of St. Louis – 2-year term (voting)

- Edward McVey, owner of Maggie O’Brien’s Restaurant – 3-year term (voting)

- Chris Saracino, restaurateur and co-founder of a Missouri-based security firm – 4-year term (voting)

- Don Brown, local automotive executive and civic volunteer – 4-year term (non-voting)

The board begins work immediately, supported by Transition Director Derek Winters. Over the coming months,

commissioners will establish policies and procedures, adopt bylaws, and begin oversight of SLMPD leadership, contracts, and budgeting. Day-to-day operations will remain under the Chief of Police.

This implementation marks a key milestone in restoring structured, community-focused governance of the St. Louis Police Department, fulfilling the legislative intent of HB 495 and delivering on a major public safety priority from the previous session.

 

 

SCAM ALERT: Fraudulent Texts Impersonating MoDOT and Missouri Department of Revenue

Missouri residents are being targeted by a new text message scam impersonating the Missouri Department of

Transportation (MoDOT) and the Missouri Department of Revenue. These messages falsely claim you owe a toll or traffic violation fee and urge you to pay immediately by clicking a link.

Do not click any links or provide any personal information. Do not respond. Delete the message immediately.

These texts are fraudulent. MoDOT does not collect tolls and will never contact you via text message demanding payment for traffic violations or toll fees. Likewise, the Missouri Department of Revenue does not solicit payments through unsolicited text messages.

If you receive a suspicious message, report the scam to the Missouri Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-392-8222 or file a report online at ago.mo.gov.

Stay vigilant and help protect others by spreading the word.

 

Celebrating Freedom, Family, and the American Spirit 

As we approach the 4th of July, we’re reminded of the enduring strength of our nation and the enduring ideals that have guided us for nearly two and a half centuries. Independence Day is more than fireworks and parades — it's a powerful reminder of the courage, faith, and determination that shaped these United States of America. The principles laid out in the Declaration of Independence — liberty, self-governance, and the belief that all are created equal — continue to serve as the foundation of our democracy and our way of life.

This holiday is also a time to be thankful: for the freedoms we enjoy, for the sacrifices made by generations of service members and their families, and for the opportunity to gather with loved ones in peace. Whether you're celebrating with a backyard barbecue, enjoying a community event, swimming and boating on the water, or simply spending time with friends and family, I encourage everyone to take a moment to appreciate the blessings of living in a free country.

Please celebrate safely — be mindful around fireworks, travel with care, and look out for one another.

As always, it is a pleasure to serve you in the Missouri House of Representatives. Please don't hesitate to contact me if I can be of service to you.