Willa Will

By Willa Powell

15 point platform that begins and ends with education.

The first step in bringing about change in Albany is to look at every problem through the lens of Democratic Values. Does a course of action support social justice or undermine it? Does a piece of legislation promote or limit autonomy and opportunity for the citizens of New York? Are we safe-guarding our future financially and ecologically? Business and economic growth is not hindered by paying attention to these values. Rather, there is a synergy to sound public policy. It is often said that "what is good for business is good for people", but I believe that when people struggle, business struggles. When people have an opportunity to thrive, business thrives. And when politics puts itself first, both people and industry struggle to survive.

Better Business - Better Economy

Job and growth opportunities exist where there is an educated workforce, solid infrastructure, and a level playing field.

• Our modern economy needs, and Information Age businesses demand, an educated workforce. That's why New York has a stake in the education of all its children, not just the children growing up where the property tax base can support a sound basic education.
• Upstate cities anchor the communities around them. Air, road and rail access is essential for just-in-time manufacturing processes, and fiber-optic and Wi-Fi infrastructure is essential to information-based industry. We need sound development policies to revitalize the city, which is Monroe County's center of gravity.
• A level playing field means appropriate taxes, applied fairly and rationally. Sweet-heart deals to a few businesses are borne on the backs of existing businesses and taxpayers. Better to bring down the cost of doing business for all businesses.

1. Focus government spending on these three core business needs, especially education
2. Promote rational economic policies that provide more services for less money
3. Focus tax breaks and project dollars on job creation
4. Reduce the tax burden by ending give-aways that don't fulfill promises
5. Look for ways to bring down the cost of doing business in New York

Better Government leads to Better Business

The failures of New York State government are well documented. There must be a will to overcome the status quo government. Election reform is not enough. We also have to stop buying votes with taxpayer dollars. Democracy and Democratic Values aren't for sale.

Willa Will:

6. Support Governor Spitzer's legacy of fighting for all New Yorkers
7. Support Clean Money, Clean Elections
8. Vote to eliminate member items designed to protect vulnerable incumbents
9. Support Brennan Report recommendations for reforming New York State government
10. Support rational, non-partisan redistricting

A More Secure New York

Physical safety isn't the only thing we need to worry about. We need to pay attention to financial and health security as well. We need jobs that pay decent wages; we need health care; and we need a social safety net. And let us not forget that education is the pathway out of poverty and insecurity.

Willa Will:

11. Support appropriate security measures
12. Support living wage legislation
13. Support affordable health care solutions
14. Reclaim the State's obligation to provide a social safety net
15. Demand a sound basic education for every citizen

My 15 point plan begins and ends with education. It is so fundamental to the success of our state and our nation, that I cannot emphasize it enough. These are the things the Senate Republicans haven't done, and won't do. These are the things I will do.

Willa Powell, Candidate, NY State Senate, District 56