Sacramento, CA — Golden State Promise and the California Business Roundtable (CBRT) today announced a strategic partnership to coordinate on priority issues and ballot measures in the 2026 election cycle, with an initial focus on the opposition to the proposed wealth tax measure that is currently collecting signatures. The collaboration brings together two proven, results-driven organizations with a track record of success at the ballot box and a shared commitment to protecting California’s economic competitiveness.
The partnership will focus on advancing policies that strengthen job creation, improve affordability for families, protect taxpayer dollars, and ensure California remains a global leader in innovation and opportunity. By aligning strategy, messaging, coalition outreach, and voter engagement efforts, Golden State Promise and CBRT will execute a coordinated, complementary, and comprehensive campaign operation designed to deliver measurable results.
“California voters consistently reject policies that make the cost-of-living crisis worse,” said Rob Lapsley, President of the California Business Roundtable. “By partnering with Golden State Promise, we are ensuring that the business community is organized, aligned, and fully engaged in 2026. This will be a coordinated, disciplined effort led by proven winners who understand what it takes to prevail at the ballot box. Together, we are committed to protecting jobs, affordability, and opportunity in every region of the state.”
Golden State Promise formed out of growing bipartisan concern that the wealth tax proposal would weaken California’s economy, worsen budget instability, and make it even harder for families and small businesses to get ahead. Its leaders emphasized the importance of early coordination, strategic discipline and broad coalition building heading into what is expected to be a crowded and consequential election cycle.
“Success at the ballot box requires preparation, partnership, and precision,” said Roger Salazar, a spokesperson for Golden State Promise. “By combining Golden State Promises’ political expertise with the California Business Roundtable’s advocacy infrastructure and broad and credible coalition of employers, community leaders, and stakeholders, we can ensure this coordinated approach does not duplicate efforts but instead maximizes impact in a way that is strategic and effective.”
CBRT brings to the partnership an expansive statewide coalition of major employers and industry leaders, decades of policy expertise, and robust institutional tools — including research, communications infrastructure, digital engagement platforms, and grassroots mobilization capabilities.
Together, Golden State Promise and CBRT will focus on voter education, coalition expansion, and targeted campaign execution to ensure California voters have clear, factual information about the economic impacts of proposed measures.
With the 2026 election cycle already taking shape, both organizations emphasized that this partnership represents a proactive commitment to defend California’s economic future and address the affordability challenges facing working families.
Details on additional priority measures and efforts will be announced in the months ahead.