Portland Clean Energy Fund Ballot Measure Draws High Profile Endorsement

U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley signs on to campaign hoping to tax large retailers.

U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley. (Christine Dong)
By Nigel Jaquiss

Backers of the Portland Clean Energy Fund measure on the November ballot have added a marquee name to their endorsement list—U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley.

Merkley, who has carved out a reputation as one of the loudest progressive voices in the U.S. Senate and is said to be contemplating a run for president, joins a long list of environmental groups and left-leaning politicians in the effort to levy a 1 percent surcharge on the business income tax paid by retailers with revenues of more than $500,000 in Portland and more than $1 billion nationally.

The money raised—estimated to be $30 million a year—would be used for weatherization projects and job training for low income and minority workers.

Opponents of the measure—known as 26-201—have disclosed accounts payable (i.e. expenditures) of $178,000 so far, while proponents have not yet disclosed any contributions since qualifying for the November ballot. They spent about $205,000 to qualify.

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