History
Established in 1980
The formal organization of the Roundtable was established in 1980 and was started by a group of individuals who wanted to positively shape the world of public policy. In 1989, The Public Square® radio broadcast, one of the main outreaches of the American Policy Roundtable™ (APR®), began as a two minute feature program on a single radio station. The Public Square® now airs in 34 states on nearly 200 radio stations across the country.
The Roundtable believes in non-partisan Election information to help voters make informed decisions at the polls.
In 1998 the Roundtable developed a voter information site called Decision 98, followed by USAVoter in the early 2000’s which has now become iVoters.com™ today. Every Election season we provide helpful voter information so that people can vote with confidence.
Throughout the years the Roundtable has taken on ballot initiatives, held educational seminars, started the Article One project, produced Christmas In America on The Public Square®, and so much more.
Each year, the American Policy Roundtable™ works on political issues from the local level to the state level then to the federal level. We maintain a firm commitment, however, to stand independent of all political parties and candidates.
History Timeline
1980
The Ohio Roundtable™ is founded. The original mission statement remains largely unchanged today: The Roundtable is dedicated to reaching all people with the message of liberty.
1982
The first Roundtable voter information publication is distributed to 2500 churches, businesses, and community leaders. Voter information publications reach over 250,000 Ohio households.
1987
Roundtable and Freedom Forum help write and pass legislation strengthening child protection laws.
1988
Roundtable’s first defeat of casino gambling in Ohio.
1989
The Public Square® Radio program is launched on a single station.
1990
Roundtable and Freedom Forum help defeat casino gambling in Ohio. Voters reject casinos by a margin of 62% to 38%.
1991
Roundtable proposes and Governor George V. Voinovich initiates the Ohio Adoption Task Force.
1992
Roundtable and Freedom Forum lead the term limits coalition, which gathers over 650,000 signatures in support of three constitutional amendments to limit politician’s terms. For the first time in history three citizen-initiated amendments succeed on the Ohio ballot and are passed into law. Voters support all three amendments by more than 60% margins.
1993
Roundtable and Freedom Forum join in the battle against Outcome-Based Education. Citizen outcry is overwhelming and results in the deletion of a 252-page OBE amendment from Ohio law.
1994
Roundtable and Freedom Forum mobilize a 14-state coalition opposed to the Clinton Health Security Act.
1995
Roundtable and Freedom Forum launch a citizen initiative for major reform of campaign finance laws in Ohio. More that 150,000 signatures are gathered to place a reform bill before the Ohio General Assembly, which passes a reform measure including key elements from the citizen initiative.
1996
Ohio Roundtable™ moves to Solon, Ohio.
Roundtable voter information publications reach over 400,000 Ohio households.
Support for Hope for Ohio’s Children and the Cleveland Scholarship and Tutoring Plan
1998
Roundtable launches Decision 98 a complete online voter information service. In just the final ten days of the election cycle over 100,000 Ohio voters visit Decision 98.
Roundtable launches The School Choice Committee, uniting school choice leaders with grassroots supporters across the state.
1999
Roundtable squares off against the ACLU launching the “Keep the Motto” campaign in full support of the legal defense of the Ohio state motto “With God all things are possible.”
The Public Square® daily news and commentary program is heard on over 25 stations and satellite translators reaching millions across Ohio and much of the Midwest.
2000
Roundtable launches Decision 2000 a dynamically enhanced, interactive voter information service. Over 500 churches and hundreds of business, libraries, and community organizations participate in Decision 2000. Candidate response to the on-line service reaches all-time high, including direct participation by every judicial candidate for the Ohio Supreme Court.
2001
Recognizing the efforts of the School Choice Committee, The White House invites ten members of the Committee to an education roundtable discussion with President George W. Bush.
Roundtable opens offices at the State Capitol in Columbus and moves corporate headquarters to 6000 sq. ft. media production facility in Strongsville, Ohio.
The School Choice Committee helps initiate legislation increasing support for the Cleveland Scholarship Plan and mobilizes grassroots efforts to support school choice program at the United States Supreme Court.
2002
New online voter information service is launched. USAVoter.info serves thousands of voting households, churches, libraries, and civic organizations in Ohio and Pennsylvania. Site receives just under 1,000,000 hits in week prior to election.
The United States Supreme Court declares the Ohio School Choice Plan constitutional. Justice Sandra Day O’Connor cites evidence presented by Roundtable in this landmark decision.
2003
The Public Square® radio broadcast is launched throughout the state of Florida.
2005
The Ohio Roundtable™ and Ohio Citizen Action call for the resignation of Governor Bob Taft after he pled “No Contest” to ethic violations. The website MoveOnTaft.org is launched.
2006
Ohio Issue 3 or Ohio Learn and Earn is defeated 57% to 43% (Ballot Issue on Casino Gambling).
2007
30 minute daily edition of The Public Square® is launched.
APR™ publishes God Won’t Vote This Year by David Zanotti.
2008
The Florida Policy Roundtable™ was started.
Attempt to abolish Florida Term Limits Defeated
Roundtable leads the fight against another ballot initiative to legalize gambling in Ohio.
Dave Zanotti and Wayne Shepherd host the live national radio commentary on the Saddleback Civil Forum between Barack Obama and John McCain.
2009
One last fight against legalizing casino gambling via ballot initiative to in Ohio.
Franklin Dialogue hosted in Tennessee
2010
The Tennessee Policy Roundtable™ was started.
iVoters.com™, a non-partisan election information site, is available.
Free Agents published by the American Policy Roundtable™
The American Mission® Series classes conducted in Naples and Orlando, Florida.
2011
The Public Square® is on 200 radio stations in 34 states across the nation.
First ever Christmas In America on The Public Square® held in Medina, Ohio and Franklin, Tennessee.
2012
In May, APR™ continues to host policy briefings on important political issues.
APR™ leads a successful voter information campaign across the country including the 2012 Presidential Election.
APR™ hosts Christmas In America: The War Years on The Public Square®.
2013
APR™ publishes, A Spare Hall: The Declaration of Independence Redefined by President Barack Obama.
APR™ hosts Christmas In America 1965 on The Public Square®.
2014
APR™ issues a report on the long-term ramifications of nationalized health care policy in light of the passage of the Affordable Care Act, titled Is Congress Making Us Sick?
APR™ hosts Christmas In America 1976 on The Public Square®.
2015
APR™ launches Heaven’s Encore: The New Fanny Crosby Project. The world premiere of undiscovered hymns and new music from America’s most beloved hymn writer, Fanny Crosby, was held at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee.
World-renowned historian, David McCullough, makes his first (of many) interviews appearances on The Public Square®.
APR™ publishes 10 Questions for Darwin with Dr. Charles McGowen.
APR™ hosts Christmas In America 1946 on The Public Square®.
2016
APR™ hosts Part 2 of Heaven’s Encore: The New Fanny Crosby Project on the campus of Lipscomb University.
APR™ hosts Christmas In America 1915 on The Public Square®.
2017
APR™ releases an updated report on the Affordable Care Act and nationalized healthcare titled, They Just Can’t Do It.
APR hosts Christmas In America 1950 on The Public Square®.
2018
First: The Leadership of George Washington published by APR™
APR™ leads campaign opposing Ohio Ballot Initiative Issue 1. This initiative would have given Ohio some of the most liberal drug laws in the nation and encourage more drug use.
APR™ hosts Christmas In America 1981 on The Public Square®.
2019
Groundbreaking of The American Mission® Center
APR™ hosts Christmas In America 1783 on The Public Square®.
2020-2021
APR™ leads live policy briefings on YouTube regarding COVID-19. Appeals to the state leaders of Ohio to not shut down. Launches the COVID Chronicles on The Public Square® with Dr. Charles McGowen.
In 2020, APR™ hosts Christmas In America 1968 on The Public Square®.
In 2021, APR™ hosts Christmas In America 2000 on The Public Square®.
2022
Jesus, His Story published by APR™
Dedication Ceremony of The American Mission® Center, the national headquarters for APR™, The Public Square® and iVoters.com®
First seminar hosted at The American Mission® Center with Dr. William B. Allen on his book, The State of Black on America
APR™ hosts Christmas in America 1844 on The Public Square®.
APR™ hosts spring High School Seniors Policy Briefing.
2023
APR™ publishes landmark study: Abortion in America
“See the Language” website is launched and reaches 4 million viewers.
APR™ hosts Christmas In America 1928 on The Public Square®.
APR™ hosts spring High School Seniors Policy Briefing.
2024
iVoters.com® again reaches all 50 states, highlighting U.S. Senate Races and State Ballot issues.
APR™ helps stop Planned Parenthood’s attempt to reconstruct Florida Constitution.
Kids on the Square™ media outreach is launched.
APR™ publishes its first children’s book, The Front Steps: A True Story about a Boy who Loved to Read.
Dedication of The William B. Allen Library at The American Mission® Center
APR™ hosts Christmas In America 1973 on The Public Square®.
APR™ hosts spring High School Seniors Policy Briefing.
2025
APR™ Launches campaign to Celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
APR™ publishes An Oration: John Quincy Adams’ Christian America with commentary by David Zanotti and W.B. Allen.
W.B. Allen authors a new English Translation and Commentary of Montesquieu’s Spirit of the Law.
APR™ hosts Christmas In America 1837 on The Public Square®.
APR™ hosts fall High School Seniors Policy Briefing.
2026
Groundbreaking of Declaration Hall at The American Mission® Center campus on America’s 250th.