ARTICLE
A citizen initiative petition has been filed in the city of Portland proposing a 1 percent gross receipt tax on what it defines as “large retailers.” The purpose of the initiative is to apply the proposed tax revenue to clean energy projects and jobs, and if successful, could have downstream cost impacts to the home building industry. HBA is working with its local partners to monitor the proposal’s development and support a campaign against the initiative. As the initiative language stands, “large retailers” subject to the tax do not include manufacturers or businesses that do not engage in retail sales, any entity operating a utility within the City, any cooperative recognized under state or federal law, or a federal or state credit union. The “large retailer” definition includes those that are subject to the city Business License Tax, have at least $1 billion in national sales and at least $500k in sales within Portland. The initiative resembles the statewide Measure 97, which voters rejected in 2016. HBA is collaborating with stakeholders to see how it may affect their businesses. The citizens group will begin gathering signatures with the goal to have the measure on the November 2018 ballot. The group needs to gather 34,156 signatures by July 6th. A copy of the proposed text can be found here: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/auditor/article/674246