CALIFORNIA PROBLEM SOLVERS FOUNDATION
PEOPLE OVER PARTY

Practical, Bipartisan Solutions for a More Affordable California

The California Problem Solvers Caucus brings Republicans and Democrats together to cut costs for California families — from the gas pump to the power bill to the price of a home.

Problem Solvers Caucus members at a press conference podium reading "It's time to put people over party"
Statement of Purpose

Problem Solvers Caucus Statement of Purpose

California has long been recognized as a global leader in innovation, education, entrepreneurship, and economic opportunity. Our challenge today is ensuring that every Californian can share in that success.

The bipartisan, bicameral Problem Solvers Caucus is committed to advancing practical, results-oriented solutions that strengthen our economy, improve affordability, and enhance the quality of life for all Californians. We believe that economic prosperity and affordability are not competing priorities but that they are inseparable.

Families across our state are feeling the pressure of rising costs. Housing, health care, transportation, energy, childcare, groceries, and other everyday expenses continue to stretch household budgets. Addressing affordability requires a comprehensive approach that reduces the cost of living while removing barriers that unnecessarily increase the cost of providing essential goods and services.

At the same time, lasting affordability depends on a strong and growing economy. California should continue to lead the world in innovation, education, technology, manufacturing, agriculture, and clean energy. We must create an environment where businesses can invest, expand, and create high-quality jobs, while ensuring our workforce is prepared to compete in an increasingly global economy.

We also believe good governance requires accountability. Public policy should be measured by results, not intentions alone. As conditions change, laws should be reviewed, evaluated, and refined to ensure they continue to achieve their purpose without creating unnecessary costs or unintended consequences for Californians.

The Problem Solvers Caucus brings together Republicans and Democrats from both houses of the Legislature who believe collaboration produces better public policy. We are focused on practical solutions that make California more affordable, strengthen our economy, and preserve our state’s position as a global leader in opportunity, innovation, and quality of life.

Our goal is straightforward: build a California where families can afford to live, businesses can succeed, workers can prosper, and future generations have every opportunity to thrive.

Help Us Make California Affordable

The California Problem Solvers Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that educates elected officials, legislative staff, and the public on the policy issues driving California's cost of living. Your support helps sustain that work.

Support the Foundation
OUR FOCUS AREAS

California Affordability Priorities

Lowering Costs. Expanding Opportunity. Improving Quality of Life.

The Problem Solvers Caucus is focused on one central question: How do we make California more affordable for working families, seniors, students, and businesses while protecting the innovation and quality of life that make our state a global leader?

Through bipartisan, practical solutions, the Caucus is working to lower costs, expand opportunity, and strengthen California’s economic future.

Energy & Climate

Reliable, Affordable Energy

  • Lower energy costs while advancing a clean, reliable energy future.
  • Support innovation, affordability, and energy independence.
Housing

More Homes, Lower Costs

  • Increase housing supply by reducing delays, red tape, and unnecessary costs.
  • Expand affordable housing and homeownership opportunities.
Health Care

Accessible, Affordable Care

  • Reduce health care costs while improving access, transparency, and quality.
  • Strengthen California’s health care workforce.
Jobs & Small Business

Growing Opportunity

  • Support small businesses, entrepreneurs, and good-paying jobs.
  • Promote economic growth by reducing barriers and investing in workforce development.
Education & Workforce

Preparing California’s Future

  • Create pathways from education to careers through skills training, apprenticeships, and innovation.
Infrastructure & Government Efficiency

Delivering Results

  • Accelerate critical infrastructure projects and ensure taxpayer dollars deliver results.
  • Build a government that is more efficient, accountable, and responsive.
Problem Solvers Caucus members meeting
The Caucus in Session

How We Work

Caucus members convene for one of their regular in-person meetings.

Who We Are

The California Problem Solvers Caucus is a new voice – and a unique venue – to address complex state challenges. Our 26-member bipartisan, bicameral caucus is both a convener and a catalyst, bringing together innovative ideas and diverse stakeholders to advance pragmatic policymaking.

The Caucus interacts with issue experts, promotes bipartisan cooperation, and crafts legislative solutions based on common ground rather than rigid partisan ideology. The 501(c)(3) California Problem Solvers Foundation and 501(c)(4) Action Fund can each support the caucus in different capacities, providing professional staff, public affairs, and/or issue advocacy for our priorities.

How We Work

Bipartisan, Bicameral Co-Chairs

Four co-chairs, representing both houses and parties, lead the Caucus collaboratively: Assembly Members David Alvarez (D–San Diego), Juan Alanis (R–Modesto), Anamarie Ávila Farías (D–Martinez), and Senator Suzette Valladares (R–Santa Clarita). Co-chairs meet every two weeks to select issues for Caucus engagement. Contact a co-chair or caucus staff to propose an issue for a future caucus agenda.

Caucus Meetings

The caucus meets in person every other week to discuss statewide policy issues. Meetings feature thought leaders and practitioners who present on policy challenges, answer questions, and engage in constructive dialogue. The caucus uses knowledge gained to generate bipartisan consensus and legislative solutions. If your issue is on our agenda, caucus staff will work with you to identify speakers, materials, and subtopics of interest for our meeting.

Caucus Zooms

To supplement in-person meetings, and for time-sensitive updates on breaking deals or deadline-driven developments, the caucus regularly assembles on Zoom. Zoom meetings expand the Caucus's policy reach and allow members to confer directly with bill authors and affected parties, while creating a forum for perspective-sharing across house and party lines. Zoom sessions are particularly useful in busy house-of-origin and end-of-session periods as they allow the Caucus to convene, discuss, and act quickly.

Policy Summits & Issue Deep Dives

Policy summits and issue deep-dive sessions allow the caucus to dissect complex policy issues over the course of several hours or days. These sessions include a broad mix of speakers on an issue's larger context, policy linkages, and diverse stakeholder perspectives. Expansive discussions reveal shared values that can help caucus members forge bipartisan consensus on effective solution options.

TRACK RECORD

Accomplishments

A track record of practical, bipartisan results across the issues that shape what Californians pay every day.

Affordability & Energy

Cheaper, Cleaner Gas

Led the passage of AB 30 to immediately approve a cleaner, cheaper ethanol (E15) fuel blend, projected to save drivers up to 20 cents per gallon — roughly $2.7 billion annually statewide.

Cost-Containment for Cap-and-Trade

Adopted bipartisan cap-and-trade policy principles to guide legislative-executive branch negotiations and advocated for specific affordability provisions that improved the final 2025 program extension.

Protecting Reliable Power

Helped protect power supplies during the state's clean energy transition by educating lawmakers and whipping votes to extend Diablo Canyon Power Plant's ongoing operations — and secured the 2022 Diablo Canyon Power Plant extension.

Accountability & Regulations

Stronger Regulatory Impact Analysis

Championed stronger economic analysis of major state regulations, developing 20 recommendations to expand the Standardized Regulatory Impact Analysis (SRIA) so impacts on businesses, jobs, consumers, and affordability are evaluated before new rules are adopted.

Promoting Innovation

To bolster cost-effective clean fuel production, the Caucus used its bipartisan voice to object to restrictive federal tax treatment of California's hydrogen marketplace.

Transparency

Standing Up for Transparency

Pressed the California Energy Commission and other state agencies to release overdue energy transition and planning reports, improving legislative oversight and helping identify critical fuel supply buffers and vulnerabilities in California's transportation fuel supply.

Public Safety

Retail Theft Reform

Endorsed a five-bill package in 2024 to curb retail theft through enhanced punishments for repeat offenders, aiding cargo theft investigations, penalties for coercion of minors, and new prosecutorial discretion.

Justice for Crime Victims

The Problem Solvers Caucus was the sole caucus to endorse more severe sentencing for the intentional drugging and subsequent rape of an intoxicated person, and to support stricter sentencing for combined drug-and-rape offenses by designating them a "violent felony."

Bipartisan Frameworks

Budget Win for Floodplains

When the 2023–24 state budget cut funds for flood management, the Caucus led a bipartisan campaign that championed the value of multi-benefit floodplain projects until the funding was restored.

Bipartisan Immigration Framework

Forged bipartisan immigration reform principles for state and federal policymakers, including securing the border, honoring due process, and providing a path to legal status for essential workers who drive our economy.

MEET THE CAUCUS

Our Members

26
Bipartisan, Bicameral Members

News

Imported from caproblemsolversfoundation.com/news
Titles, dates, and excerpts as currently published on the live site. A few excerpts repeat the same placeholder text there; that's carried over as-is rather than rewritten. "Read More" links open the original live articles.
July 17, 2026

Modernizing California's Classrooms: How AB 2117 Aims to Reshape Education Leadership

California's education governance has struggled with a fragmented, dual-headed leadership structure that often leads to overlapping roles and conflicting direction. Assemblymembers David Alvarez and Darshana Patel of the California Problem Solvers Caucus have introduced Assembly Bill 2117. This legislation seeks to streamline state management, bolster legislative oversight, and secure strict accountability over the state's massive education budget.

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May 27, 2026

The Bipartisan Push Behind Assembly Bill 35

Bureaucracy is currently delaying Prop 4's $10 billion climate bond. Read the latest blog post to learn how the bipartisan AB 35 cuts red tape to fast-track essential clean water and wildfire projects.

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May 25, 2026

Member Spotlight: Stephanie Nguyen

Nguyen stands as a dedicated changemaker, a powerful voice for the Sacramento and Elk Grove communities, and a proud member of the California Problem Solvers Caucus.

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May 22, 2026

Reshaping California's Education Future: A Look at AB 2117

Discover how Assemblymember David Alvarez is leading the charge to fix California's fragmented education governance. Read the new blog post on AB 2117 to explore these sweeping transparency and accountability reforms.

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May 18, 2026

Problem Solvers Welcome Asm. Stephanie Nguyen as Caucus's Newest Member

The California Problem Solvers Caucus today announced Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen (D-Elk Grove) as the newest member of the bipartisan and bicameral caucus.

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May 6, 2026

Stepping Up This Week on California Energy Supply, Affordability, and Planning

The California Problem Solvers Caucus is urging CARB to keep California's Cap-and-Invest program focused on reducing emissions — not generating state revenue.

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May 4, 2026

AB 2117: The PSC Aims to Reshape Education Leadership in California

Problem Solvers Caucus Aims to Reshape Education Leadership in California.

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April 23, 2026

Problem Solvers Caucus Demands Answers on California Fuel Supply Risks, Rising Prices

Problem Solvers Caucus Demands Answers on California Fuel Supply Risks, Rising Prices.

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April 8, 2026

Problem Solvers Push CARB to Prioritize Consumer Costs in Cap-and-Invest Update

Problem Solvers Caucus Demands Answers on California Fuel Supply Risks, Rising Prices.

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April 8, 2026

The California Problem Solvers Caucus 2026 Proposed Amendments to Cap-and-Invest Regulations

The Problem Solvers Caucus proposes amendments to the Cap-and-Invest regulations.

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March 6, 2026

The California Problem Solvers Caucus Champions AB 35

The Problem Solvers Caucus Endorses AB 35.

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February 20, 2026

Delivering on Prop 4: The California Problem Solvers Caucus Endorses AB 35 to Speed Up Clean Water and Wildfire Projects

Members of California's bipartisan and bicameral Problem Solvers Caucus today released the caucus's four Cap-and-Trade principles, focused on lowering costs for consumers and promoting legislative oversight of program implementation.

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February 13, 2026

Problem Solvers Caucus Endorses Bill to Speed Up Clean Water and Wildfire Projects

Members of California's bipartisan and bicameral Problem Solvers Caucus today released the caucus's four Cap-and-Trade principles, focused on lowering costs for consumers and promoting legislative oversight of program implementation.

Read More →
February 13, 2026

Assemblyman Juan Alanis Named Co-Chair of Problem Solvers Caucus

Members of California's bipartisan and bicameral Problem Solvers Caucus today released the caucus's four Cap-and-Trade principles, focused on lowering costs for consumers and promoting legislative oversight of program implementation.

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October 22, 2025

How the Problem Solvers are Rethinking Cap-and-Trade

Members of California's bipartisan and bicameral Problem Solvers Caucus today released the caucus's four Cap-and-Trade principles, focused on lowering costs for consumers and promoting legislative oversight of program implementation.

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October 17, 2025

Member Spotlight: Assemblymember Anamarie Ávila Farías—A Champion of Practical Solutions

Members of California's bipartisan and bicameral Problem Solvers Caucus today released the caucus's four Cap-and-Trade principles, focused on lowering costs for consumers and promoting legislative oversight of program implementation.

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October 2, 2025

Governor Signs Problem Solvers' Gas Affordability Bill

Members of California's bipartisan and bicameral Problem Solvers Caucus today released the caucus's four Cap-and-Trade principles, focused on lowering costs for consumers and promoting legislative oversight of program implementation.

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September 12, 2025

California is allowing E15 Fuel: Anticipated Economic and Environmental Benefits

Members of California's bipartisan and bicameral Problem Solvers Caucus today released the caucus's four Cap-and-Trade principles, focused on lowering costs for consumers and promoting legislative oversight of program implementation.

Read More →
GET IN TOUCH

Contact

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april@caproblemsolversfoundation.com

1121 L St #105
Sacramento, CA 95814

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