Deep Dive into Pragmatic Policy: A Conversation with April Manatt on the Capitol Weekly Podcast
We're excited to share highlights from a recent episode of the Capitol Weekly podcast featuring our own April Manatt, Executive Director of the California Problem Solvers Foundation. This episode provided a fantastic opportunity to discuss the crucial work of the California Problem Solvers Caucus.
What is the Problem Solvers Foundation and Caucus?
April explained that the California Problem Solvers Foundation was formed around 2020 by former members, experienced legislators, and staff. Their core mission is to bring back civility, collaboration, legislative independent thought, and action to the California Capitol. Modeled after the US Problem Solvers Caucus, the Foundation supports the legislative caucus by providing professional staff like April and organizing meetings and policy deep dives.
The Caucus is a "true bipartisan caucus" within the building. It is a very pragmatic policy group, providing a space for legislators to talk across the aisle and houses to find reasonable solutions.
Why This Work is More Important Than Ever
In a political environment often characterized by "hyper-partisanship," April highlighted that this challenging time is precisely why the Foundation and Caucus exist. The founders believed that legislators from different perspectives talking to one another is essential for getting better policy outcomes. The Caucus offers a vital forum for collaboration across both houses and parties. Members opt-in to this mindset and are serious about committing to pragmatic solutions.
How the Caucus Operates
April detailed the operational aspects, emphasizing the bipartisan and bicameral nature of the Caucus, with equal representation from both parties. With minimal staff, including April, the Foundation helps organize sessions and policy discussions, acting as a "through line" and linking current efforts to past legislative norms and experiences.
A unique aspect mentioned is that the Caucus meets outside the Capitol, currently at the State Library, to get Members out of their daily Capitol "bunkers." Each meeting begins with legislative historian Alex Vassar sharing stories about prior lawmakers and Capitol collaboration to help center Caucus members on their role and capabilities as a co-equal branch of government.
The Problem Solvers Foundation and Caucus are privately funded through broad fundraising, independent of state funding. April noted that the Caucus works in tandem with leadership on issues of the day, sometimes in alignment and sometimes offering a different perspective. Transparency is also a key principle; April stated the founders wanted their work to be of such integrity that "you can print every agenda on the front page of the LA Times".
Tackling Key Issues
While not a "look at me caucus", the Problem Solvers Caucus has engaged on various complex issues. They have played roles as a "convenor and a catalyst". Past efforts mentioned included internal work on Diablo Canyon and getting behind opening up the Capitol post-COVID.
More recently, they took a significant step on the high-profile issue of retail theft. Recognizing it as an issue impacting everyone, they gathered experts and ultimately endorsed five bills from within their Caucus. Notably, three of these bills were included in the leadership package related to retail theft, demonstrating the value of their work.
A consistent focus has been California's clean energy transition, including discussions around cap and trade. They have also discussed immigration and its implications for the state. The Caucus was instrumental in a bill on a clean fuel blend that the Caucus hopes to implement.
Looking Ahead
The Caucus currently has 22 members and hopes to grow larger while maintaining its critical equal balance between parties. April also mentioned the possibility of engaging directly with the US Problem Solvers Caucus on intergovernmental issues like clean energy and immigration.
The conversation underscored the dedication of the members who, having opted into this group, are full of goodwill and willing to find common-sense solutions by opening up and potentially shifting their policy frameworks.
We encourage you to listen to the full podcast episode to hear more about the California Problem Solvers Foundation and the California Problem Solvers Caucus.
