Representative Kevin Mannix is defending his seat against challenger Virginia Stapleton, current president of the Salem City Council. While both candidates say they support working families and strengthening the economy, there is a stark contrast in how they perform. Kevin Mannix has a history of advocating for small business-friendly policies that help communities and working people (see Mannix’s 100% rating on the DSB Voting Record). Stapleton has put the needs of government first.
Case in point. The biggest that faced the City of Salem in the last year was a major budget shortfall of nearly $30 million. While not a unique problem for cities in Oregon, Stapleton’s solution was uniquely bad. It came in the form of a payroll tax of .814% for anyone working in Salem, regardless of where they live. The result would have been an average of about $500 each year out of individual paychecks for anyone working in Salem.
Despite massive outcry from workers and small businesses, including hours of testimony and hundreds of letters in opposition, the City Council passed the payroll tax in a 5-4 vote, with Stapleton casting her vote in favor. She continued to ignore the will of her voters by voting against a proposal to let voters decide.
In the end, voters had their say. Salem voters rejected the tax by a whopping 82%. But Stapleton’s actions made it clear that she did not prioritize the voice of the people.
At the same time, Representative Mannix prioritized the small businesses and working families with his votes in the legislature. One bill in particular – House Bill 3205 – gave businesses the ability to offer hiring and retention bonuses – putting money in employees’ pockets! – that Oregon law currently prohibits.
He also protected family farms and natural resource businesses by raising Oregon’s estate tax exemption from a paltry $1 million to $15 million on rural natural resource businesses, allowing them to stay in local family hands and save them from having to be sold off to out-of-state investors. It is these types of efforts that explain why Defend Small Business PAC has endorsed Representative Kevin Mannix for House District 21.
Everyone says they support working families and a strong economy during political seasons. But that message falls flat if their actions contradict their words.
The Defend Small Business PAC is focused on electing small business champions to create an environment that allows small business success to drive economic growth. Small donations make a big difference in our ability to fight.
Will you stand with us?
The Defend Small Business PAC (PAC 17474) - the PAC of the Oregon State Chamber of Commerce - helps protect, preserve and foster a political environment that will strengthen local businesses, their employees, their communities, and the private enterprise system.
