If Oregon voters approve Measure 97 on November 8th the state could raise $3 billion a year for education. It applies a 2.5 percent tax on large businesses with over $25 million in Oregon sales.

Our Oregon supports Measure 97 and says it will help make up for big loopholes allowing many corporations doing business in Oregon to pay little or no tax.

The Oregon Education Association and other public employee unions back Measure 97. Big business opposes it.

Several business groups have pooled resources to hire Paul Mandabach, who runs a consultant firm that helps clients defeat ballot initiatives. The Oregon Business Council and the Oregon Business Association are among Mandabach's clients.

His work has driven down the support for Measure 97, but Our Oregon and the unions backing it have a strong capacity of their own to mobilize support for this new tax on corporations in Oregon.