Education

“The Trump administration continues to threaten and harm Oregon communities. In just one year of his presidency, Donald Trump withheld $4.6 billion of federal funds that legally belonged to Oregon–money that helps low-income families put food on their tables, keeps domestic violence shelters open, and funds life-saving emergency preparedness programs. He sent roving groups of masked ICE agents to terrorize our community and abduct our neighbors–leaving immigrant families afraid to go to work, seek medical care, and take their children to school.”

“Willy fought back. Leading the legislature’s federal response and immigrant justice package, Willy helped pass laws that require ICE agents to unmask; direct schools to alert families of ICE presence on campus; strengthen protections for patients and providers of gender-affirming healthcare; gave people the right to seek legal justice when law enforcement enters their property without a warrant; bars the use of immigration status in civil cases; and more.”

“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.”

“Oregon’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 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.”

“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.”

“Criminal Justice Reform THE CHALLENGEThe approach we have historically taken for public safety does not work. Oregon prisons hold more than 12,000 incarcerated individuals, all of whom require our tax dollars to house and support–as many of these individuals are growing older, sicker, and in need of medical care. As working Oregonians struggle with affordability, now is not the time to spend even more taxpayer dollars on building more prisons for larger prison populations.WILLY’S SUCCESSESSince being elected to the state legislature, he has prioritized making our criminal legal system more just, fair, and efficient. He passed legislation to modernize the expungement process for juvenile convictions, ensuring that bureaucracy is not a barrier for young individuals who have bettered their lives. He fought to secure funding for restorative justice programs, make compensation for wrongful convictions easier to obtain, and create a process to allow review of past convictions that were based on discredited junk science.WILLY’S VISIONAs a public defender, Willy knows that incarcerating more individuals and building more prisons will not stop crime. Investing early into social welfare programs, affordability, and education will. Willy plans to continue investing in the existing restorative justice programs that work while preventing initial incarceration by fighting for a healthier, safer community from the start.”

“As a public defender, Willy knows that incarcerating more individuals and building more prisons will not stop crime. Investing early into social welfare programs, affordability, and education will. Willy plans to continue investing in the existing restorative justice programs that work while preventing initial incarceration by fighting for a healthier, safer community from the start.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“Accomplishments Accomplishments Delivering for Our District Childcare Education Environment & Climate Housing & Homelessness Strengthening Democracy”