WILLY'S PRIORITIES FOR OREGON
THE CHALLENGE
Oregon currently ranks last in the country in access to treatment and we are in the midst of a devastating addiction and overdose crisis. The influx of fentanyl is ravaging our community.
MY EXPERIENCE
As a public defender, I work to help my clients build a more stable and fulfilling life. Often, this includes helping them access mental health and addiction treatment. Many clients sit for months in jail or on our streets waiting for healthcare and help because there are no treatment beds available.
MY APPROACH
I’ll work to increase investments in behavioral health infrastructure and workforce development to ensure that Oregonians have access to mental health and addiction treatment facilities that are fully staffed by highly qualified, compassionate individuals. It is imperative that we facilitate coordination between our city, county, and state government to deliver the best possible care.
THE CHALLENGE
Oregon has been underbuilding housing for decades. Paired with our rapidly growing population and economic inflation, it's no wonder Oregon is one of the least affordable states to live in the entire country. We have systematically failed thousands of Oregonians who are forced to live on the streets every single day. No one should have to go to bed without a roof over their heads.
MY EXPERIENCE
Working in a legal aid clinic, I fought to keep families in their homes by defending against foreclosures and evictions. As a public defender, I have extensive experience helping clients transition from homelessness into shelters and pathways to long-term stability.
MY APPROACH
We need to significantly increase the rate of construction of affordable housing so that we can start seeing housing prices lower. I will work to enforce and strengthen policies passed by the Oregon Legislature that put a cap on the amount a landlord can raise your rent. I believe every person in Oregon deserves to have a roof over their head.
THE CHALLENGE
Traffic deaths in Portland are at a 30-year high. Two of the most dangerous streets in our city for pedestrians are in our district (82nd and Powell). Safe and accessible walkability is key to a vibrant community and to protecting our environment, as transportation is the biggest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in Oregon.
MY EXPERIENCE
As a parent of young children, I navigate the potholes, unclear traffic patterns, and lack of sidewalks with a stroller. I know the challenges of safely moving through our community. As a public defender, I have mourned my clients whose lives have ended tragically and suddenly when they were struck by cars on our streets.
MY APPROACH
I will advocate for funding to revitalize our most dangerous streets. I will vote to invest in infrastructure that supports walking, biking, and public transportation to make our community healthier, safer, and less reliant on fossil fuels. I will support public parks and green spaces in our community, and I’ll encourage planting more trees to bring shade and to mitigate heat domes in the summer.
THE CHALLENGE
The Oregon public education system is dramatically underfunded. Our students’ test scores have not recovered from the pandemic, and our BIPOC students are not getting the support they need. Many families struggle to access early childhood education, and higher education costs continue to rise, making college feel out of reach for many Oregonians.
MY EXPERIENCE
I started my career as a 6th grade math teacher in a public middle school, and I became the chair of our school’s math department. I saw the inequity created by disinvestment in public schools, and I saw the difference that a great education makes in unlocking every student’s potential. My wife is a career educator and restorative justice specialist working in Portland’s public schools. Our kids attend our neighborhood daycare, which struggles with rising costs and frequent staff turnover.
MY APPROACH
We need to increase our funding for public education while ensuring those dollars go directly to supporting teachers and students. I will listen to educators and work to address their needs. I will work to ensure that our kids have access to the resources they need -- from cradle to career -- to ensure that they have a fair shot at a brighter future. They are our future leaders, and we can't let them slip through the cracks.