Flavio - you're so liberal it blinds you.

The big companies paying the extra tax will increase prices, because that is how real life works - smaller companies will eventually increase prices because they realize the bigger companies are doing it - why leave money on the table - that is how capitalism works.

What is more likely to happen - companies will create new regional divisions. Instead of one big "Fred Meyer" it will become "Fred Meyer Salem", "Fred Meyer Portland West", "Fred Meyer Portland East" - however they need to divide the company to guarantee sub $25m ..  Similar to how the company is actually "Kroger", but called QFC in some places, Fred Meyer in others, King Soopers in others, etc.