Voters in Oregon have rejected a measure that would change the state Constitution to block lawmakers from imposing taxes on groceries.
Yes! Keep Our Groceries Tax Free and the Parents Education Association PAC spent $7.63 million working to pass the measure. Opponents contributed $6.95 million.
The ballot measure was pre-emptive because there isn’t a plan in Oregon to tax groceries. The state currently doesn’t have a statewide sales tax, and the change in the language would block lawmakers from instituting a “tax, fee, or other assessment” on groceries.
Supporters of passing the tax ban include Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and other groups who are working to block a growing effort by state lawmakers to tax sugary drinks.
Soda taxes, proponents say, will help reverse the tide of obesity, type-2 diabetes, and heart disease in the U.S. Opponents charge that the soft drink industry should not be singled out and that the tax will disproportionately affect poor people and hurt small businesses.
