April Manatt and the Problem Solvers

CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: Our 400th episode! On today’s show we welcome April Manatt, Executive Director of the California Problem Solvers Foundation. The California Problem Solvers’ mission is to help elected officials find solutions through collaboration and mutual respect, and work in service to the people they represent. In short, to “put people over party,” a nearly radical idea in today’s hyper-partisan political environment.

Prior to joining the Problem Solvers, Manatt ran the California Legislative Staff Education Institute. CLSE, a program of Capitol Impact, is dedicated to professional development for legislative staff, offering opportunities for staff to gain a deeper understanding of complex policy issues through discussions with experts, field trips and engagement with other staffers.

Manatt spoke with us about her work in both of these organizations, the importance of bipartisanship in policy making, and bridging the divide.

Plus, as always, we tell you Who Had the Worst Week Week in California Politics.

:20 400th Episode

3:38 What’s new at Capitol Weekly

5:07 Speaking of interns: Ellie Appleby and Leah Lentz

9:14 April Manatt

9:47 California Problem Solvers Foundation and Caucus

12:53 “A labor of love”

13:20 A challenging time to be doing this work

15:18 Your role in the org

16:43 Who funds the Foundation?

19:20 California Legislative Staff Education Institute

24:00 Relationship building

24:39 How do staff participate?

26:55 Attitude of the Problem Solvers Caucus

31:56 Getting legislators out of the building to see what they are voting on

32:57 Obligatory Alex Vassar mention

33:57 What efforts have the Problem Solvers been involved in?

37:06 What’s on the agenda for the Foundation?

40:03 #WWCA