What is it?

Measure 118 is a gross receipts tax on businesses with more than $25 million in annual Oregon sales. The problem is the tax is on sales, not profit. Say a business has sales of $25 million a year but their expenses and current taxes equal that $25 million. Essentially they make enough to keep the business running but not enough to turn a profit. But with Measure 118 they would pay an extra 3% on that 25 million despite not making a profit. This is a $750,000 tax on money that does not exist for the business. All Oregon businesses must pay this tax whether they make a large profit, a small profit, or are losing money. Measure 118 would force hundreds of local businesses to raise prices, cut jobs, or shut down completely, opening the market for large corporations to come in and take over.

How will this affect everyday Oregonians?

Although this tax would be technically enforced on Oregon businesses, it is the everyday Oregonian that will be paying for it. If this tax applies to every step from raw materials to a manufacturer to a packaging company to a distributor and then to a retailer, that product will have been taxed an extra 3% for each of the 5 steps.

For example:

And who will be paying for the increased prices of products? You. The customer pays the price when businesses are forced to raise prices to keep up with their costs. So vote for yourself and your wallet and vote NO on Measure 118.

What does this mean for businesses in Oregon?

Oregon businesses of all sizes will be negatively impacted by this measure. Many businesses do not make a large profit but make just enough to keep afloat. This measure will add more to the expense column than these businesses can balance in their checkbooks. This leaves businesses with only a few options. Lower costs, raise prices or close their doors. None of these are easy or ideal to do. Measure 118 would make local businesses less competitive with out-of-state and national corporations, drive more jobs and revenue out of the state, and hurt our local economies. Unfortunately, many medium to small businesses may suffer and close down, opening up opportunities for large corporations who can afford this tax, to move in and take over local business. 

Who is Backing this Measure?

Measure 118 was drafted in a Eugene coffee shop and is funded almost entirely by a small group of wealthy, out-of-state funders.

Who Opposes Measure 118?

The full list of elected officials, businesses, and corporations that oppose this measure can be found here at https://noonmeasure118.com/coalition/ but notable people and entities include:

Elected Officials (5/77 listed)

• Tobias Read, State Treasurer, D
• Jay Bozievich, County Commissioner (Former), Lane County
• Heather Buch, County Commissioner, Lane County
• Roger Nyquist, County Commissioner, Linn County
• Sean VanGordon, Mayor of Springfield, OR

Businesses

• Bigfoot Beverages
• Dari Mart Stores
• Nike
• Oregon Women for Agriculture
• Oregon Business & Industry
• The Papé Group
• Citizens Bank
• Wilco Farmers
• Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce
• Portland Metro Chamber
• American Council of Engineering Companies – Oregon
• Oregon Health Care Association
• Black Business Association of Oregon
• Pacific Recycling
• Willamette Women Democrats
• Insomnia Coffee Company