For Immediate Release
Oct. 17, 2024
Press@NOonMeasure118.com

The long list of businesses, organizations and individuals opposing Measure 118 includes many in the construction and housing industry. They know that the $6.8 Billion tax on sales would drive up the cost of housing, public facilities, roads and much more. And as the cost of building everything in Oregon goes up, jobs available to people who build things would go down.

According to nonpartisan state budget experts, Measure 118 would increase taxes on the construction industry alone by $383 million per year. Because Measure 118 taxes sales, not profits, costs would be passed along to buyers, including contractors, homeowners and renters.

That’s why the coalition to Defeat the Costly Tax on Sales includes dozens of organizations in the housing and construction industry, including the Associated General Contractors-Columbia Chapter, Multifamily NW, Oregon Home Builders Association, Oregon REALTORS®, Hoffman Construction, Pahlisch Homes and more.

Here’s what some organizations and leaders in housing and construction have to say about Measure 118:

“UA Local 290 opposes Measure 118. Ultimately it is a job killer for our members and raises costs for all Oregonians. We represent the best-skilled tradespeople in the world, and our labor and expertise is critical to getting residential, commercial, and essential infrastructure projects completed. Measure 118 is a threat to our economy and will make it even harder to address Oregon’s affordable housing crisis. We strongly urge a NO vote on Measure 118.” – W. Paul Elder, business manager/financial secretary of United Association of Journeyman and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada Local 290

“Measure 118 will increase the cost of construction significantly by raising the price of building materials. Higher construction costs means fewer projects, resulting in union job loss and mass layoffs in the skilled trades and more expensive housing for a state in real need of expanded affordable housing inventory.” – Oregon State Building and Construction Trades Council (Oregon Voters’ Pamphlet)

“Home builders already pay hefty fees and costs – sometimes adding as much as 40% to the cost of a home. If Measure 118 passes, expect even higher costs, making it harder to provide affordable homes.” – Oregon Home Builders Association (Oregon Voters’ Pamphlet)

“Associated Wall & Ceiling Contractors of Oregon and the Western States Carpenters – the people who make sure the interior of your buildings is quality built, safe and durable – know that Measure 118 will raise the price our customers, your families, will have to pay. Many of the supplies we must purchase to perform work will go up because of Measure 118, forcing our contractors to raise the price of their work for you.” – Western States Regional Council of Carpenters and the Associated Wall & Ceiling Contractors (Oregon Voters’ Pamphlet)

“Measure 118 will increase prices on all electrical components from wire to appliances and will also drive up prices across the entire construction industry. These increased prices could lead to loss of over 28,000 jobs and a potential reduction in wages for others.” – Oregon National Electrical Contractors Association and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (Oregon Voters’ Pamphlet)

Go here to learn more about the hundreds of businesses, organizations and elected leaders opposing Measure 118.