Measure 118: We we’re betrayed by unions, Democrat Party

In-fighting and betrayal among Oregon Ballot Measure 118
By Taxpayers Association of Oregon
OregonWatchdog.com

The uber-liberal Californian man who spent one million dollars putting the Measure 118 tax on the ballot feels betrayed by both the unions and the Oregon Democratic Party.

In his own words,

“In the process of trying to raise money and get this on the ballot and get this passed and get endorsements and dealing with all the people who supported it 8 years ago [Ballot Measure 97 sales tax in 2016]. We thought they would be natural allies and endorse this measure and it turns out that dealing with various unions and the Democratic Party of Oregon.  They had internal task forces to analyze the measure and recommend if the party or union should endorse it or not.  For both the unions and progressive groups, their internal analysis came back with the recommendation to endorse it.  Yet the party leadership and unions decided to come out against it. It was shocking to us. I believe the reason is because they want the money. They don’t want you to get the money. They like the old idea where the money goes to the government and they could allocate it and what-not as opposed to trusting people to spend their own money on the way that is best for them and their families.”

This man has it half right.

YES: liberal groups want to spend all the tax money and give none of it back.  BUT they also get paid by the same money.  They want to spend the money on themselves.

For instance, during Covid, the category of jobs that received the highest salary increases were Oregon government jobs.  While government officials were telling businesses to stay closed they were awarding raises and bonuses to themselves.  Also during Covid, Governor Brown steered $100,000 for a personal political consultant and went on a trip to Europe at taxpayer expense.

The Wall Street Journal says of Oregon Ballot Measure 118, “There are bad ideas and then there are ideas so lousy that even liberal Democrats disown them. Count in the latter category an Oregon ballot measure that would stick companies with the highest corporate tax burden in the country while pitching it to voters as a “rebate.” … The Yes on 118 website says a yes vote will “get yearly rebates of $1,600 for yourself and every Oregonian, kids included.” Sure, until businesses flee and the tax pool shrinks.”

Economist Bill Connerly said of Oregon Ballot Measure 118, “Voter confusion would begin with the concept of a business tax. The measure seeks to increase taxes paid by most corporations that earn more than $25 million in revenue, which makes it sound progressive and supposedly socks it to the rich. But, in reality, it would add something like a sales tax, which would be passed on to consumers. … The state’s Legislative Revenue Office used a large economic model to estimate that prices would be pushed up by 1.3 percent.”

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