The initiative asked voters to determine whether or not to impose a 2.5 percent gross receipts tax on C corporations with Oregon sales exceeding $25 million.

The same report estimated that wholesale companies in Oregon would see their taxes grow by almost $600 million, a 583 percent increase.

[8][9] By the week before Election Day, combined fundraising for the two campaigns had reached $40 million.

[10] A separate pro-Measure 97 group, Defend Oregon, also raised funds in support of the measure's passage.

[12] Companies and trade associations that contributed to the campaign against the measure include, among others, Amazon.com, General Motors, Kroger/Fred Meyer,[12] J.P. Morgan Chase, Wal-Mart,[10] Costco, Safeway/Albertsons,[7] the Oregon Association of Realtors, Jive Software, Comcast, Pacific Seafood, and the Craft Brew Alliance.