Oregon businesses are spending millions to oppose a ballot measure that would give every resident a $1,600-a-year basic income

• Oregon residents will soon vote on a corporate tax increase to give them a universal basic income.
• Businesses have spent millions to oppose the 3% tax on corporate sales over $25 million.
• Both Democrats and Republicans say the measure could harm the state budget and essential services.

Oregon businesses are spending big to oppose a ballot measure that would tax corporations and give residents $1,600 a year in a rebate program that is similar to a universal basic income.

And lawmakers, both Democrats and Republicans, seem to agree. They say the ballot measure is riddled with problems and could crater the state’s budget.

Whether the state adopts Oregon Measure 118, however, will ultimately be up to the voters.

Also called the Oregon Rebate, the measure would increase the state’s minimum corporate tax rate by 3% after a company makes $25 million in in-state revenue. Then, it would distribute that money to all Oregon residents, including minors and dependents, who have lived in the state for at least 200 days.

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