Taxes & fiscal

“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.”

“Willy 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.”

“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.”

“The 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.”

“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.”