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To contact me, please click here: Rep.LeslyMunoz@oregonlegislature.gov
Friends and Neighbors,
We are now well into the 2025 legislative session, and things are moving quickly here at the Capitol. With committee work in full swing and daily floor sessions underway, the pace has definitely picked up. My colleagues and I are hard at work reviewing bills, debating policy, and advancing legislation that reflects the needs of Oregonians.
As we move deeper into session, I remain focused on delivering results—whether it’s improving access to housing, protecting workers’ rights, supporting education, or ensuring all Oregonians are treated with dignity and fairness.
In this newsletter, I’m highlighting Women’s History Month, where important district bills are, the importance of knowing your rights, and honoring the legacy of Dolores Huerta, a civil rights icon who has inspired me and so many others.
Thank you for staying engaged and informed. I’m honored to represent you and will continue to keep you updated as we move through this fast-paced and impactful legislative session.
I recently got to preside over the House Chamber as honorary Speaker!
My team and I have recently added a Immigrant Rights Resource section to my website. This section includes information about legal protections, contact information for legal services, hotlines and much more information so you can stay informed. I believe that understanding your rights is essential—especially for immigrants, who may face unique challenges or uncertainties. Knowing what protections, the law provides can help individuals navigate difficult situations and advocate for themselves and their families.
In Oregon, immigrants are afforded rights, including access to education, workplace protections, and due process under the law. No matter your status, you have the right to remain silent, to legal representation, and to be treated with dignity and respect. When communities are informed, they are stronger and safer. Knowledge is power—and by knowing your rights, you can take control of your future and help ensure fair treatment for all.
This section can be found here. Please feel free to contact my office if you or anyone you know needs further assistance.
As Women’s History Month comes to a close, I have found myself reflecting throughout these past weeks on the many extraordinary contributions women have made—and continue to make—to our history, culture, and society. From civil rights leaders and educators to scientists, public servants, and everyday heroes, women have shaped our nation in countless ways, often in the face of great adversity.
This month, we reflect on the courage of many trailblazers like Abigail Scott Duniway, Avel Louise Gordly and Dolores Huerta, who fought for justice and equity; and we recognize the women in our own lives who lead with strength, resilience, and compassion. Their legacies remind us that progress is made when we lift each other up and ensure that every voice is heard.
As a legislator and public servant, I owe much of my passion for justice and equity to Dolores Huerta. Her tireless advocacy for farmworkers and Hispanic communities has inspired generations of leaders—myself included—to stand up, speak out, and fight for those whose voices have too often been ignored.
Co-founding the United Farm Workers (UFW) in 1962, Dolores Huerta led historic efforts to secure fair wages and better working conditions for agricultural workers. She coined the powerful phrase “Sí, se puede!” (“Yes, we can!”), words that continue to guide and motivate movements for social justice today. Her courage, resilience, and unwavering commitment to civil rights have shaped not only labor laws but the broader fight for dignity and equality in our country. As I work to serve our community, I carry her legacy with me—a constant reminder that progress is possible when we organize, uplift one another, and never back down from doing what’s right.
Dolores Huerta’s life is a beacon of hope and action, and I am proud to honor her contributions in both word and deed. As we celebrate Women’s History Month, let us recommit ourselves to building a future where opportunity, equality, and respect are not just ideals, but realities for all.
I am inspired by those around me each day, like dear Melissa here!
As I continue to learn more each day of session, I am reminded how important it is to take the time and space to ensure my constituents have the chance to learn along with me. One of the most important processes of every session is the process of a bill becoming a law. It all begins with a legislator’s proposal or an idea from a constituent or organization. Once the concept is formed, a legislator requests the bill to be drafted by the Legislative Counsel. After the bill is written, it is introduced in either the Oregon House of Representatives or the Senate, where it is assigned a number and read aloud for the first time. Following this, the bill is sent to a relevant committee for further review. The committee holds public hearings to gather input from Oregonians, and it may amend the bill before voting on whether to move it forward. If the committee approves the bill, it returns to the full chamber (either the House or Senate) for a second reading, followed by a debate and vote. If the bill passes in its original chamber, it proceeds to the other chamber, where the process is repeated. If both chambers pass the bill, any differences are resolved in a conference committee. The final version is sent to the Governor for approval. If signed, the bill becomes law. However, if the Governor vetoes it, the legislature can override the veto with a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers. This structured process ensures that proposed laws are thoroughly reviewed, debated, and vetted before becoming law in Oregon.
There are a vast number of ways to learn more about both the legislative process itself and what happens in the capitol on a daily basis, some of which can be found here. Please reach out if you want to learn more!
I will appear on Radio Poder next Sunday, March 30 at 10 am. Tune in on 98.3 FM!
Woodburn City Council Meeting:
When: March 24 at 7pm
Where: Woodburn City Hall, 270 Montgomery Street, Woodburn Oregon 97071
Salem City Council Meeting:
When: March 24 at 6pm
Where: Salem City Counsil Chambers, 555 Liberty Street SE, 240 Salem Oregon 97301
I recently had the honor of attending the Gervais City Council Meeting!
As the session continues to gain momentum, I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve and represent our community’s values at the Capitol. Your voices, stories, and concerns are what guide my work every day.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out with your thoughts or if you need assistance navigating state services—we’re here to help. Staying informed and engaged makes all the difference, and together, we can continue building a stronger, more equitable Oregon for everyone.
Thank you for reading, and I look forward to keeping in touch throughout the session.
In Unity,
Representative Lesly Muñoz
House District 22
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1422
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-472, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.LeslyMunoz@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/munoz
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