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The latest news and updates from the California Business Roundtable. Sign up to receive updates straight to your inbox at [email protected].
Golden State Promise and California Business Roundtable Announce Strategic Partnership for 2026 Election Cycle
Coordinated, complementary, and comprehensive effort to protect
California’s economy and address cost-of-living challenges...
Coordinated, complementary, and comprehensive effort to protect
California’s economy and address cost-of-living challenges
- 03/10/2026
Business and taxpayer advocates turn in more than 1.3 million signatures, say measure reaffirms voters’ will and protects Californians from higher local taxes amid cost-of-living crisis
- 02/25/2026
In his most recent Substack article, California Business Roundtable President Rob Lapsley pushes back against ongoing inaccurate reports that corporations don't pay their "fair share" of taxes in California.
- 08/29/2025
Today, the California Business Roundtable indicated their support to expand access to private investments in 401(k) accounts.
- 08/06/2025
President Rob Lapsley recently released a Substack analyzing California’s increased fuel tax and environmental regulations.
- 07/11/2025
CBRT launches The California Brief Substack to provide a deep dive into policies, regulations, and legal challenges that drive up the cost of living and doing business in California
- 06/23/2025
Latest News from the Center for Jobs
Latest on what is driving California’s economy, job growth, and other key indicators. Get updates straight to your inbox at [email protected].
Special Report: California Becomes 4th Largest Economy as Japan’s Economy Slowed in 2024
In the latest data from International Monetary Fund (IMF), California—if it was treated as a separate economy—moved from 5th largest in the world to 4th largest as Japan’s economy contracted. However, Japan is projected to resume growth at 4% in 2025, while India is projected to continue moving up the ranks with 7% growth....
The trade statistics in May once again reflect more shifts in policy around tariffs rather than economic fundamentals.
- 07/04/2025
In the latest data from International Monetary Fund (IMF), California—if it was treated as a separate economy—moved from 5th largest in the world to 4th largest as Japan’s economy contracted. However, Japan is projected to resume growth at 4% in 2025, while India is projected to continue moving up the ranks with 7% growth.
- 04/22/2025
In July, California average residential electricity jumped to 10th highest among the contiguous states, compared to 9th lowest in 2010. Electricity rates across all three primary end users as well as the cost of fuels remained the highest in the contiguous states.
- 10/11/2024
The August trade data again showed strong results for California and its ports as shippers continued to surge activity ahead of pending tariffs and the then-threatened East/Gulf labor actions. Origin exports rose 9.9% in nominal terms compared to prior year. Total trade activity through the state’s ports was up 13.6%, with the strongest gains in imports.
- 10/08/2024
California’s Real GDP grew by 2.8% in the second quarter (annualized change from the previous quarter), just below the 3.0% growth for the US overall and 27th highest among the states.
- 09/30/2024
The August numbers were positive but at relatively modest levels. Although revisions to the July numbers show stronger growth that month, nonfarm wage and salary jobs grew by only 6,800 in August, the 8th highest level among the states. Employment gains were 8,700.
- 09/23/2024