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Measure 103 aims to protect corporations from regulations that donât exist. The measure, bankrolled by Oregonâs top grocery and beverage companies, introduces a constitutional amendment that would ban any new taxes on groceries. At the moment, there are no current or pending taxes proposed on the grocery industry in Oregon. This is more of a defensive move by industry leaders who are hoping to preempt any legislative attempts to tax certain types of foodâlike soda or candyâin the future. Itâs no coincidence this measure comes just two years after voters defeated Measure 97, a proposed 2.5 percent tax on the revenue of Oregonâs largest corporationsâincluding those in the grocery biz. Oregon grocers doled out more than $7 million in 2016 to successfully defeat Measure 97.
Measure 103 gives major grocery stores an unnecessary buffer from necessary taxes that may pop up down the road. But weâre even more irked by how sloppily thrown together this particular ballot measure is. The measure defines âgroceriesâ as âraw or processed food or beverages intended for human consumption,â meaning it could effectively ban any new taxes on food sold at convenience stores, farmersâ markets, catering companies, movie theaters, sports arenas, hospitals, hotels, or any kind of restaurant. (This has delighted the restaurant industry, which has put little time or money into lobbying for this measure.) Meanwhile, it will still allow for taxes on non-food items at grocery stores, alcohol, and tobacco products (though some argue its phrasing leaves a loophole for nicotine-only products, like e-cigarettes).
Itâs unknown how Measure 103âs vague phrasing and hurried promises will unintentionally impact Oregon industries and consumers. Weâre not interested in finding out. Vote no on Measure 103.