Economy & workers

“Housing Homes You Can Actually Afford As Metro Councilor, I’ve already delivered over 5,000 affordable housing units ahead of schedule and under budget and led policy to to add 20,000 new housing units through careful but urgent land use action. But we can’t stop there when working families are still being priced out of the communities they’ve helped build. Here’s what this means for you: if you’re a teacher, nurse, or small business owner, you should be able to afford to live near where you work. If you’re an elder who’s been here for decades, you should be able to stay in your community. If you’re a young person starting out, buying a home shouldn’t be impossible. If you find yourself experiencing homelessness, services should be accessible to recover and find stability. As Metro Council President, I’ll build big with smart financing, use our land better, and cut through red tape. No more excuses. We’re in a housing emergency and we need to better act like it. We’ll deliver homes that working people can afford.”

“Here’s what this means for you: if you’re a teacher, nurse, or small business owner, you should be able to afford to live near where you work. If you’re an elder who’s been here for decades, you should be able to stay in your community. If you’re a young person starting out, buying a home shouldn’t be impossible. If you find yourself experiencing homelessness, services should be accessible to recover and find stability.”

“Transit Transportation That Actually Works Getting around shouldn’t be a nightmare. When you can reliably get from Tigard to North Portland on a bus, or from your home in Wilsonville to the PDX airport, when an elder can safely walk to the grocery store, or ride your bike to work with confidence, when families don’t have to choose between car payments and rent, that’s when our transportation system works for everyone. I’ve already secured major investments for highway and community corridors as JPACT Chair, leading regional investments that are changing the way we move in our region. As Metro Council President, I’ll build smarter with fast bus service, safe streets for walking and biking, and housing near good jobs and transit. I believe that big infrastructure projects will be a formidable pillar of our economic recovery and future in our Metro regionGreater Portland. This means Bus Rapid Transit that actually gets you places quickly. Streets where families feel safe walking. Making sure that going green doesn’t mean going broke for working families.”

“I’ve already secured major investments for highway and community corridors as JPACT Chair, leading regional investments that are changing the way we move in our region. As Metro Council President, I’ll build smarter with fast bus service, safe streets for walking and biking, and housing near good jobs and transit. I believe that big infrastructure projects will be a formidable pillar of our economic recovery and future in our Metro regionGreater Portland.”

“Economy Good Jobs for Everyone Our region’s success means nothing if it doesn’t reach the restaurant worker, the home health aide, the manufacturing technician or the small business owner on 82nd Avenue. In my time as Metro Councilor, I’ve led major regional investments and policy that are bringing good jobs to our communities. But it’s not enough, as Metro Council President, I’ll make sure everyone gets a shot at prosperity. Our region needs to care deeply about our economy and I plan to make commercial space affordable for small businesses, invest in walkable districts borrowing from the success we are seeing in bustling cities across the region like Beaverton, Milwaukie and Gresham’s Rockwood district, support our incredible culinary scene, and train workers through apprenticeships so we can build the future we want. This means helping young entrepreneurs get their big start, making sure all our communities can fully participate in our economy, and creating real pathways for workers to get ahead. No matter where they were born or what language they speak at home. We’ll build big with a coordinated employment land strategy, support Oregon-grown businesses, and make sure that when we invest in big projects, local people get hired for good-paying jobs. Economic development should help communities, not push them out.”

“Our region’s success means nothing if it doesn’t reach the restaurant worker, the home health aide, the manufacturing technician or the small business owner on 82nd Avenue. In my time as Metro Councilor, I’ve led major regional investments and policy that are bringing good jobs to our communities. But it’s not enough, as Metro Council President, I’ll make sure everyone gets a shot at prosperity. Our region needs to care deeply about our economy and I plan to make commercial space affordable for small businesses, invest in walkable districts borrowing from the success we are seeing in bustling cities across the region like Beaverton, Milwaukie and Gresham’s Rockwood district, support our incredible culinary scene, and train workers through apprenticeships so we can build the future we want.”

“This means helping young entrepreneurs get their big start, making sure all our communities can fully participate in our economy, and creating real pathways for workers to get ahead. No matter where they were born or what language they speak at home.”

“We’ll build big with a coordinated employment land strategy, support Oregon-grown businesses, and make sure that when we invest in big projects, local people get hired for good-paying jobs. Economic development should help communities, not push them out.”

“Environment Clean Air, Clean Water, Good Jobs I’ve already delivered major investments to protect clean air and water by leading our region’s historic $475 million Parks and Nature Bond towards successful implementation. But environmental justice means making sure that every neighborhood has access to clean air, green space, and parks. Not just the wealthy ones. As Metro Council President, I’ll tackle climate change with the urgency this crisis demands. This means expanding our regional parks, creating green jobs that pay family wages, and making sure that environmental improvements don’t push out the families they’re supposed to help. We’ll build what our region needs to deal with climate change. More trees in neighborhoods that need them. Clean energy that brings down costs for working families. Protecting our environment isn’t just about preservation. It’s about making sure everyone can afford to stay.”

“As Metro Council President, I’ll tackle climate change with the urgency this crisis demands. This means expanding our regional parks, creating green jobs that pay family wages, and making sure that environmental improvements don’t push out the families they’re supposed to help.”

“Affordability THE CHALLENGEMany Oregonians are struggling with stagnant wages and increasing inflation as wealth and income inequality soars. Donald Trump’s policies help large corporations and individuals maximize their profits while workers and consumers pay the price. Medical debt and predatory lending worsen the conditions for those struggling the most.WILLY’S SUCCESSESWilly fought to combat wage theft and ensure businesses pay their fair share of taxes. He worked with legislators to make homes more available to Oregonians rather than Wall Street investors and protect Oregonians from out-of-state predatory lenders. This year, Oregon Democrats passed legislation to retain Oregon tax revenue that would have been lost with Trump’s tax cuts for the wealthy.WILLY’S VISIONOur economy should be centered around people, not big corporations. Willy will fight for everyone’s right to earn a living wage, afford a home, access healthcare, and take time for their loved ones. Through supporting unions and fair labor standards, Willy will fight for a future of economic justice where opportunity is not limited by zip code or background.”

“Many Oregonians are struggling with stagnant wages and increasing inflation as wealth and income inequality soars. Donald Trump’s policies help large corporations and individuals maximize their profits while workers and consumers pay the price. Medical debt and predatory lending worsen the conditions for those struggling the most.”

“Our economy should be centered around people, not big corporations. Willy will fight for everyone’s right to earn a living wage, afford a home, access healthcare, and take time for their loved ones. Through supporting unions and fair labor standards, Willy will fight for a future of economic justice where opportunity is not limited by zip code or background.”

“Public education THE CHALLENGEOregon’s public education requires significant changes. Our students continually rank near last in our country for test scores and days in class; families struggle to access early childhood education; higher education costs continue to rise; and ICE presence on campuses has invoked fear in students and their communities.WILLY’S SUCCESSESWilly worked with his colleagues in the Oregon legislature to secure $11.4 billion in school funding, direct an investigation into chronic absenteeism in Oregon, secure investment in early literacy and summer learning programs, and create legislation to alert families of ICE presence on school campuses.WILLY’S VISIONEducation is one of the most powerful tools for a well-functioning democracy and thriving economy, and it remains the highest return on investments of government dollars. As a former teacher, Willy knows that Oregon’s future requires every Oregonian, regardless of income and zip code, to have the right to a high quality and free education. Willy plans to fight the state’s education crisis by consciously investing in our education and youth—prioritizing what works and creatively solving what doesn’t.”

“Education is one of the most powerful tools for a well-functioning democracy and thriving economy, and it remains the highest return on investments of government dollars. As a former teacher, Willy knows that Oregon’s future requires every Oregonian, regardless of income and zip code, to have the right to a high quality and free education. Willy plans to fight the state’s education crisis by consciously investing in our education and youth—prioritizing what works and creatively solving what doesn’t.”

“Good jobs are the foundation of a strong community. They provide stability, dignity, and the chance to build a better future, no matter your background or education level. Across the region, we need more opportunities for people to earn a living wage close to home. Ashton’s Metro district has some of the largest sources of job-ready lands and one of the most diverse workforces in the region.”

“That’s why Ashton has focused on giving people the training needed for higher paying jobs and creating the conditions to let businesses grow and thrive - especially close to home in East County. For him, it is critical that we have available land for manufacturing and other high-wage jobs in sectors that align with our region’s values, as well as people with the skills needed to fill these jobs.​”

“Our streets are vital for connecting us to jobs, schools, businesses, and our neighbors. Smart transportation policy can improve those connections, while also improving safety and reducing congestion.”

“As an attorney, a former small business owner, a former taxi driver and currently as a superintendent/in-house council at Portland’s premier taxi company, I will bring a broad base of real-world experience to Metro Council.”