Measure 104 shares many similarities with Measure 103, the proposed ban on state grocery taxes. Like the grocery tax ban, Measure 104 is a preemptive move by conservative groups defending their business earnings in Oregon. Measure 104’s text is intentionally confusing to anyone who doesn’t closely follow the Oregon Legislature, but it’s not that complicated.
In short, Measure 104 expands what kind of changes to the constitution require a three-fifths—or supermajority—vote to pass in both legislative chambers. In doing so, the measure would make it much harder for lawmakers to pass bills that decrease current tax breaks or increase taxes, which are both important tools to raise state revenue.
The measure will add unnecessary gridlock to our already-glacial legislative processes, allowing special-interest groups more time to lobby against tax cuts and fees. By doing so, Measure 104 could waste thousands of taxpayer dollars by drawing out the legislative session to favor the minority party.
Unsurprisingly, this measure is backed by conservative-leaning special-interest groups like the Oregon Home Builders Association and Oregon Business and Industry.
We’re not interested in corporate lobbyists or bitter minority legislators holding our tax dollars hostage for their own gains. Vote no on Measure 104.
M104 is NOT a limit on amendments to the State constitution, Mercury Election Strike Force.
It’s an attempt to redefine “tax increase” to include any fee increase and/or any limit on an existing tax break, thus putting those under the constitutional supermajority requirement.
The result would, in effect, lock in all current tax breaks regardless of whether they’re effective or have any demonstrable public benefit.
The major funders of the Yes campaign are realtors, who are throwing millions into opposing any reforms that might tamper with the privileged position that the wealthy occupy within Oregon’s regressive-as-shit tax system.
No on 104.