4A Wednesday, October 26, 2016 Appeal Tribune
Measure 97: a $6 billion tax
on sales – with no guarantee
of how politicians would
spend the money
Measure 97 would impose $6 billion in new taxes on the sales of goods and
services in Oregon, including everything from food, clothing, housing, utilities
and gas to medicine and healthcare.
The state of Oregon’s own nonpartisan study found that Measure 97 would
increase costs for a typical family by $600 per year and especially hurt those
who can least afford higher living costs.
Despite Measure 97’s deceptive wording, there’s no guarantee where the
money would go – it’s a blank check.
Measure 97 is not a constitutional amendment, so under state law and Oregon
Supreme Court decisions, it cannot bind the Legislature’s spending decisions.
The Legislature’s own top legal authority, the Legislative Counsel, stated that
the Legislature could spend the money “in any way it chooses.”
William D. Rutherford
Former Oregon State Treasurer
“Since it is not a constitutional
amendment, Measure 97 cannot
guarantee how the money from
its tax on sales would be spent.
The legislature could spend the
money from Measure 97 any way
it chooses.”
Brenda Frketich
Family Farmer
St. Paul, OR
“Measure 97 would tax the sales
of the basic things that all families
need, like food, utilities, gas and
medicine. That means all Oregon
families would pay more and have
less, and those who can least afford
it – like seniors and those on a fixed
income – would be hurt the most.”
Doug Hoffman
President
Wilco
Mt. Angel, OR
“Under Measure 97, businesses
would pay a 2.5% tax on their
total sales regardless of whether
they make little or no profit or are
actually losing money.“
Every Major Newspaper in Oregon: No on 97
Examples:
“As even the measure’s proponents admit, the Legislature
may spend the revenue ... anywhere it likes.”
“Prices for everything from food to medicine to power
would go up.”
– The Oregonian – Oct. 9, 2016
– The Bend Bulletin – Oct. 16, 2016
“The money would go into the state general fund, and
lawmakers could spend it any way they wished.”
“The Legislature can spend the available money in any
way it sees fit – on pensions, prisons or pet projects.”
– Mail Tribune – Oct. 9, 2016
– Portland Tribune – July 21, 2016
“Higher prices for items such as food, medicine and clothing hit the poorest
Oregonians the hardest, because a larger portion of their income goes for necessities.”
– The Register-Guard – Oct. 2, 2016
Vote NO on 97
Learn more at NOon97.com
This voter information provided by Defeat the Tax on Oregon Sales • PO Box 5275, Portland, OR 97208 • www.NOon97.com • Phone (877) 575-9950
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