Beaverton City Council Opposes Measure 97

Despite pleas from people such as Governor Kate Brown saying Measure 97 is needed to help fund health care and education, the Beaverton City Council last week narrowly passed a measure opposing it.

The vote was two in favor of opposition, one against, and one abstention. Mayor Denny Doyle was not present at the meeting.

The measure of opposition had been introduced by Councilor Cate Arnold who was supported by Councilor Betty Bode. Councilor Mark Fagin abstained and Council President Marc San Soucie voted no.

The measure would impose a 2.5 percent tax on companies that do more than $25 million in sales in the state. The measure would dedicate the new revenue to schools, health care, and senior citizens.

Proponents say the measure is necessary because schools and services suffer because large corporations in Oregon such as Comcast and Bank of America pay lower taxes here than they do in other parts of the country.

Opponents have said it would just be passed along to consumers in the form of higher prices.