Measure 118 is poorly designed policy. It claims to give money to Oregonians by taxing Oregon businesses on sales. In reality, it will add to the cost of living for all Oregonians while cutting the budget for education and other critical services.

The measure would create a stacking 3% tax on sales for businesses adding up to $6.8 billion. It would be the largest tax increase in Oregon history.

The cost to families will be great. It’s a stacking tax on sales, growing at every step of the supply chain and landing on the final consumer. It will directly and substantially raise everyday costs for Oregonians — everything that our schools, teachers, and families in our community buy. There are no exemptions for food, medicine, clothing or other necessities.

And the revenue won’t be used to fund public schools, public safety, or any other critical services necessary for all Oregonians. Instead, these corporate taxes that currently fund education will be funneled to payouts to individual Oregonians, regardless of need. This will create a gap of billions of dollars that will require slashing education funding for every student in the state.

If you’re doing the math, that means Measure 118 will decrease school budgets while increasing the costs for students, teachers, and districts. It’s an ill-advised policy that swaps meaningful investment in Oregon’s future. Please join me in voting no on Measure 118.

Tricia Mooney

Hermiston School District superintendent

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