SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - The California Business Roundtable (CBRT) convened its Board of Directors to celebrate the organization’s 50th anniversary, marking five decades of leadership, advocacy, and impact on behalf of California’s job creators, employers, and working families.

Founded in 1976, the California Business Roundtable has served as the state’s leading voice for the broad business community, bringing together senior executives and employers from across industries to advance policies that promote economic growth, fiscal responsibility, and a competitive business climate. Over the years, the Roundtable has played a pivotal role in shaping California’s tax, regulatory, infrastructure, and workforce policies—often providing the long-term, data-driven perspective needed to balance economic growth with the state’s environmental and social goals.

“For 50 years, the California Business Roundtable has been a steady, solutions-oriented voice in Sacramento and across the state,” said Rob Lapsley, president of the California Business Roundtable. “Our members understand that a strong economy is what ultimately funds public services, supports working families, and keeps California competitive. That perspective has never been more important than it is today.”

Throughout its history, the Roundtable has led successful efforts to defeat economically harmful ballot measures, promote responsible tax and fiscal policy, advance infrastructure investment, and improve California’s regulatory framework. The organization is widely recognized for its ability to bring credibility, economic analysis, and real-world business experience to some of the state’s most complex policy debates.

In 2014, as part of the organization’s updated mission, the Roundtable launched the Center for Jobs and the Economy, the data arm of the organization. The Center, led by President Brooke Armour, was the first to break down key economic indicators by legislative and congressional district. In the more than 10 years since it was launched, the Center has become a trusted voice in explaining economic trends, quantifying the cost-of-living crisis, and through its expanded economic impact analyses.

California Business Roundtable Board Positions

As part of its Winter Board meeting, CBRT also conducted a comprehensive review of seven statewide and local ballot measures expected to appear before voters in 2026. Following staff analysis, the Board voted unanimously to adopt the recommended positions on each proposal, reflecting the Roundtable’s continued focus on affordability, competitiveness, and economic sustainability.

“The ballot is increasingly where California’s biggest economic decisions are being made,” Lapsley said. “At both the state and local level, we are seeing measures that would raise costs, discourage investment, and make it harder for employers to stay and grow here. Our Board took unanimous positions to give voters and policymakers a clear signal about what helps—and what harms—California’s economy.”

Measures the roundtable supports include the following.

Statewide ballot measure modernizing and streamlining of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to reduce unnecessary delays and litigation while maintaining strong environmental protections

Statewide ballot measure reforming political spending requirements for large health care unions

The Small Business and Economic Recovery Act, a San Francisco ballot measure sponsored by the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce

The City of Los Angeles Cost of Living Relief Initiative

Measures the roundtable opposes include the following.

Statewide ballot measure capping health care executive compensation and expanding government control over health care governance

Massive business tax increase in San Francisco backed by local labor groups  

City of Los Angeles massive business tax increase backed by local labor groups

The California Business Roundtable has also already taken positions supporting the Local Taxpayer Protection Act and opposing a proposed statewide wealth tax and will continue to play a leading role in shaping the 2026 ballot debate to protect California’s economic health and affordability.

As part of its 50th anniversary celebration, the Roundtable will be hosting special events, issuing new reports, and redoubling its commitment to growing jobs and a healthy economy as we look to shape the next 50 years of public policy and economic prosperity in this great state.