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To contact me, please click here: Rep.KevinMannix@oregonlegislature.gov
Hello Friends,
I’d like to take a moment to wish you all a Happy Mother’s Day and acknowledge the incredible contributions mothers make to our community. Their love, strength, and dedication leave a lasting impact every day. Whether you're a mother, remembering a mother, or celebrating someone who has been like a mother to you, thank you for all that you do.
Last week, we also celebrated Teacher Appreciation Week! A heartfelt thank you to our teachers—your dedication to educating the next generation is an immense responsibility, and we all have teachers who helped shape who we are today.
 My office bid farewell to one of our Legislative Interns, Ernest Jones, on April 30. Ernest is a first-year student at Willamette University with plans to pursue a law degree. He was an amazing help to me and my legislative staff this session, and his presence will be missed. Please join me in wishing Ernest all the best as he wraps up his semester and heads back to California for the summer.
I was pleased to have the opportunity to present before the House Committee on Emergency Management, General Government, and Veterans alongside Representative Andersen regarding HB 2531 on May 8.
This bill would allocate state funding to support vital City of Salem services, including fire protection, emergency response, law enforcement, and public safety. With ongoing concerns surrounding Salem’s city budget, this bill is a crucial step toward ensuring the state shares the financial responsibility for services it already depends on, helping to alleviate the burden on local resources.
Although HB 2531 will not move forward this session, this hearing presents a valuable opportunity to advocate for city funding through other channels as the Ways and Means Committee considers our state budget.
I was honored to stand with my colleagues on April 30, a day that marks the fall of Saigon and the end of the Vietnam War, in support of HCR 34. This resolution pays tribute to the Vietnam War veterans from the United States and the Republic of Vietnam, as well as Vietnamese refugees and the Vietnamese American community who endured profound hardships.
The House Floor was filled with personal and moving stories, reflecting on this solemn occasion. Veterans who served during and after the Vietnam era shared their experiences, Vietnamese immigrants recalled the trauma of displacement, and the children of those affected spoke of the lasting impact on their families.
 The McDaniel High School Viet Club from Portland performed a traditional Vietnamese hat dance for the Floor Opening Ceremony in honor of the resolution’s passage.
HCR 34 offers an opportunity to reflect on the Vietnam War—a time of immense loss, division, and resilience that shaped generations. The scars of war remain, not just for those who fought but for families, communities, and entire nations. While the pain of the past lingers, it serves as a powerful reminder of the strength of the human spirit. Let us honor those who lived through these difficult times, carry forward the lessons learned, and continue striving for a strong future.
 Abuse Awareness Training:
The Oregon Department of Human Services has introduced an interactive, online training program designed to educate the public on the processes of recognizing and reporting suspected child abuse. The training also teaches how to distinguish between when a child is being abused or neglected and when their family is in need of economic assistance.
The training only takes an hour and is considered the most up-to-date ODHS course on effective reporting. If you are interested in participating, you can access the DHS course here.
Sinaloa Cartel:
On May 7, federal authorities announced one of the largest fentanyl busts in U.S. history, when over 400 kilograms of fentanyl, including three million pills, were seized from the Sinaloa Cartel. Sixteen individuals were arrested across five states, including Oregon. Among them was cartel leader Heriberto Salazar Amaya, who was discovered to be operating out of Salem.
Drug cartels, such as the Sinaloa Cartel, continue to devastate Oregon communities with fentanyl, as overdose rates climb at an alarming pace. In 2022, illicitly manufactured fentanyl was responsible for 65% of all overdose deaths in Oregon, making it the state's deadliest illicit drug.
 Click here to read the full article.
As the State Representative for Keizer and North Salem, I am grateful that our federal government has taken decisive action to interdict this vast network of drug activity controlled by this alleged trafficker. However, this case should serve as a wake-up call, highlighting the devastating impact these drugs are having on our neighborhoods.
I am proud that our Joint Committee on Addiction and Community Safety passed critical legislation in 2024 to strengthen penalties for drug trafficking. Yet, this case underscores the additional work that must be done to further fortify our efforts against drug trafficking and continue protecting our communities.
College Savings Incentives for Young Families:
The Oregon Treasury announced on May 6, that families opening a new Oregon College Savings Plan account for their newborn or kindergartner will receive a $100 deposit – a fourfold increase from the previous $25 offered through the popular Baby Grad and Kinder Grad programs. Click on the graphic below for more information.
I was proud to be an honored guest at the May 4 Mobilization Ceremony for units within the 41st Infantry Brigade of the Oregon Army National Guard. We have 220 Guard soldiers preparing for deployment to three countries at six different outstations to conduct security and base defense operations in support of missions in the Horn of Africa. Afterwards, I met with and posed for group photos with three of our soldiers and family members. My right hand is a bit sore after shaking hands with each of the 220 soldiers! Let us all pray for a successful mission and the safe return of these citizen-soldiers.
 I was honored to be recognized by the Salem Area Solutions Alliance at their luncheon on Friday and to receive the Commonsense Leadership Award. Joining me in the photo below are fellow award recipients: Marion County Sheriff Nick Hunter, Marion County Commissioner Danielle Bethell, Salem City Mayor Julie Hoy, and Keizer City Councilors Marlene Parsons and Kyle Juran.
It is always an honor to represent you in the Oregon Legislature. If there are things my office can assist you with in the months to come, please do not hesitate to reach out via the information below.
Yours truly,
 Representative Kevin Mannix
House District 21
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1421
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-384, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.KevinMannix@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/mannix
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