At least four progressive organizations that previously backed an Oregon ballot measure to hike taxes on businesses and divide proceeds among all Oregonians have withdrawn their support.
Voters will decide Nov. 5 whether to approve Measure 118, which proponents say would give about $1,600 annually to all Oregonians by making corporations pay more. Opponents across the political spectrum, citing analysis from state economic researchers, warned that it would raise prices and blow a hole in the state’s budget.
The measure, largely funded by wealthy Californians, earlier this month trumpeted endorsements from the Community Alliance of Tenants and Portland Tenants United, bringing its total number of endorsements to nine — but it counted endorsements from 11 groups in July, an archived version of the measure’s website shows. Four progressive groups — the Oregon Working Families Party, the farmworkers union PCUN, Democratic Socialists of Eugene and LIUNA (Laborers Local 483) — quietly walked back their support in the past few months.
The measure retains support from some other progressive organizations, including the Oregon Progressive Party, the Pacific Green Party and the Oregon chapter of Progressive Democrats of America. Antonio Gisbert, chief petitioner for Measure 118, dismissed the organizations that withdrew their endorsements as not being brave enough to buck politicians he says are obliged to corporate donors…