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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW 'Sorry About That' book expands ... Fallen tree debris at Howard Prairie is being used to create habitat for infant wild coho ... Ashland to purchase Acid Rock Castles ... 'Sorry About That' book expands ... Fallen tree debris at Howard Prairie is being used to create habitat for infant wild coho ... Ashland to purchase Acid Rock Castles ... CORPORATE TAX MEASURE Foes, fans of proposal raise millions Brown endorsed Measure 97 last week Comment By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Aug. 8, 2016 at 5:01 PM By The Associated Press Posted Aug. 8, 2016 at 5:01 PM » Social News SALEM — Millions of dollars have been raised by the two groups campaigning on opposite sides of a November ballot measure that would increase corporate taxes. Measure 97 would create a 2.5 percent tax on sales exceeding $25 million for some corporations. Last week Gov. Kate Brown endorsed the measure, which would be the largest tax hike on corporations in Oregon history. The Statesman Journal reports Our Oregon, the group supporting the tax, has raised $1.5 million so far. The money is from just two donations of $750,000 each by the Oregon Education Association and SEIU Local 503, the state's largest public sector unions. The business-backed Defeat the Tax on Oregon Sales is campaigning against Measure 97, and has raised more than $5 million from nearly 800 donations. Most contributions are from corporations or their executives. The campaigns are likely to spend heavily on television, radio and digital advertising. Supporters of the measure say it would re-ignite investment in public schools, health care and senior services, all while allowing the state to tackle its other financial problems. Opponents say it would hurt businesses and curb private sector growth. Other officials have said Measure 97 could help avert a looming $1.4 billion budget deficit. The potential deficit is being driven by the cost of implementing the Affordable Care Act — also known as Obamacare — public pension costs and a higher demand for state services, among other reasons, officials said. A report from the nonpartisan Legislative Revenue Office found the measure would raise $3 billion a year, but act as a regressive tax by increasing prices. The higher prices amount to an average per capita tax increase of $600 a year, mostly affecting low- and middle-income Oregonians, the report showed. The report also found that Measure 97 would slow private sector job growth while boosting public hiring. The extra funds that would be generated by the measure are broadly earmarked for education, health care and senior services, although it doesn't say how the money should be spent in those areas. However the Legislature could spend the new funds anyway it pleased. Brown, a Democrat who's running to keep her gubernatorial seat in November, addressed this issue in her endorsement, saying she "will make sure" the funds are spent as voters expect. By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Aug. 8, 2016 at 5:01 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501