By Cal Lutheran NewsFrom serial government deficits to stringent growth controls, decisions made years ago have shaped the current state of the economy. And decisions made today will have major consequences for future generations. “Broken Inheritance: How Today’s Decisions Handicap the Next Generation” is the theme for the 2026 Ventura County Economic Forecast Event. The 16th annual event is presented by California Lutheran University’s Center for Economic Research and Forecasting (CERF). Networking for attendees will begin at 8 a.m., followed by the forecast event from 9-11 a.m., at the Scherr Forum Theatre, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks.
Leveraging CERF’s deep roots and unmatched expertise in the regional economy, Executive Director Matthew Fienup, Ph.D., will present the 2026 Ventura County Economic Forecast publication, with in-depth analysis of the county’s economic and demographic performance. Fienup also will provide detailed discussion of the state of Ventura County agriculture and present CERF’s award-winning U.S. and California forecasts.
Featured speaker Veronique de Rugy, Ph.D., will discuss the economic and social costs of government debt, underscoring the critical importance of putting the country on a sound fiscal path. De Rugy is chair of Political Economy at George Mason University and a nationally syndicated columnist. She frequently appears in the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, as well as on Bloomberg, Fox News and CNN.
“Growth is not merely about higher GDP figures. It is about whether societies remain open or turn inward, whether politics is cooperative or zero-sum and whether the next generation expects progress or prepares for conflict,” noted de Rugy. “Growth is not a luxury or an abstraction. It is a moral obligation to those with the least power, the fewest assets and the longest futures.”
“Whether we look nationally or right here in Ventura County, policy matters,” Fienup said. “And the policy decisions that we make today will determine whether the next generation enjoys the same opportunity for people to flourish that the previous generation enjoyed.”
Tickets are $75 when purchased in advance or $105 at the door. The economic forecast event is free with a Cal Lutheran ID. Anyone wishing to attend can purchase tickets at CalLutheran.edu/2026VCEF.
About the Center for Economic Research & Forecasting (CERF): CERF is a nationally recognized economic forecasting house. CERF economists Matthew Fienup and Dan Hamilton are members of the Wall Street Journal Economic Forecasting Survey, the National Association for Business Economics (NABE) Economic Outlook Survey and the Zillow (formerly Case-Shiller) Home Price Expectations Survey. CERF was the recipient of 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2024 Crystal Ball Awards for the Zillow Home Price Survey. CERF’s 2-year ahead forecast of U.S. home price forecast was the single most accurate among more than 100 professional forecasts. CERF seeks to be a solutions-oriented organization, providing world-class economic forecast publications, analyzing the effects of economic policies and working with diverse stakeholders to address the major economic challenges of the day.
About California Lutheran University: Founded in 1959 and federally recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution since 2016, California Lutheran University is home to over 2,200 undergraduate and 1,000 graduate students. Our students come from 58 countries and represent many faiths and spiritualities. Our dedicated, accomplished faculty teach in small classes, guiding our students as they grow into open-minded leaders who are strong in character and judgment, confident in identity and vocation, and committed to service and justice. Everyone at Cal Lutheran is committed to helping students pursue their passions, discover their purpose and transform their communities. Learn more at CalLutheran.edu.
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