California Business Political Action Committee (CalBusPAC)
The California Chamber of Commerce issues political action committee, CalBusPAC, has been helping to qualify, support and/or oppose statewide ballot initiatives since 1976. Funds contributed to CalBusPAC are used for initiative campaign expenses, including polling research, message development and media execution. There are no limits to contributions to this committee.
Pro-Business Reforms Supported by CalBusPAC
- Ballot initiative reforming the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) to eliminate abuse by trial attorneys and provide a pathway for employees to pursue claims for wages and penalties, keeping 100% of the recovery. The initiative provided leverage for negotiations culminating in adoption of a PAGA legislative reform package. The business community (with the CalChamber in a central role), labor, and legislative leadership worked together to establish meaningful change that will curtail rampant PAGA lawsuit abuse while offering better outcomes for employees who have been wronged. Enactment of the legislative package allowed the initiative to be removed from the ballot (2024).
Anti-Business Proposals Defeated with CalBusPAC Support
- An initiative (Proposition 30) increasing the tax rate for high-income individuals to the highest in the nation to subsidize zero-emission vehicles and charging stations, thereby discouraging investment in California and adding to the volatility of income tax and state budget revenues (2022).
- A split roll tax initiative (Proposition 15) that would have enacted a $12.5 billion a year property tax increase—the largest in state history. The measure was riddled with flaws that would have hurt all Californians, particularly the small businesses that employ half of all California employees (2020).
For more information on how to help business prepare for future ballot battles, contact the CalChamber Public Affairs Department.