Oregon voters defeated Measure 103, introduced by the major corporate grocery companies, which would have changed Oregon’s constitution to prohibit food and most beverages from being taxed.
Since Oregon is one of few states without a sales tax, the price you see now on the product is what you pay at the store.
Just two years ago, a move to tax the gross receipts of big businesses, including grocers, concerned the industry even though it failed.
KGW political analyst Len Bergstein said Measure 103 is their answer.
Measure 103 would have protected food from being taxed, from the time its grown in a farmer’s field until you have bought it at the store. And every stage along the way would be protected, too. No taxes on the food containers, transportation, or storage.
Marijuana, alcohol and tobacco would have been exempt and still taxed.