Seeking to stem the tide of veterans leaving the state due to rising costs, a bipartisan group of military veterans in the California Legislature announced the formation of the California Legislative Veterans Caucus on Wednesday.

The caucus, the first of its kind in state history, aims to bridge the partisan divide to tackle systemic issues facing California’s nearly 1.5 million veterans—the largest veteran population in the United States.

Led by co-chairs Sen. Caroline Menjivar (D-San Fernando Valley) and Assemblyman Jeff Gonzalez (R-Indio), both U.S. Marine Corps veterans, the group will focus on the state’s affordability crisis, specifically targeting the high costs of housing and childcare that have led many service members to relocate.

"Your California veteran legislators are working as a united bipartisan body, committed to examining every avenue possible to champion issues that will uplift our veterans out of homelessness," Menjivar said in a statement.

Beyond policy, the initiative includes the establishment of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation. The organization will serve as a collaborative hub to raise awareness for military families and ensure that those who served remain a "valued part of California’s communities," according to Gonzalez.

The move comes at a critical time for the state’s military community. While California offers robust benefits, the high cost of living has become a significant barrier for transitioning service members.

"Those who served our nation deserve recognition and support not just in words, but through continued engagement and community partnership," Gonzalez said.

The caucus is comprised of veterans from three branches of the military:

• Sen. Caroline Menjivar (D): U.S. Marine Corps
• Assemblyman Jeff Gonzalez (R): U.S. Marine Corps
• Sen. Shannon Grove (R): U.S. Air Force, the first female veteran elected to the California Legislature.
• Sen. Bob Archuleta (D): U.S. Army, Chair of the Senate Military and Veterans Affairs Committee.
• Sen. Tom Umberg (D): U.S. Army.

Sen. Tom Umberg, who represents Orange County and comes from a multi-generational military family, praised the "can-do" attitude of the new leadership. "I am honored to join my brothers and sisters-in-arms to pledge our continuing commitment to those who served us all," he said.

The foundation's board will be rounded out by Secretary Tom D’Agostino, working alongside Menjivar and Gonzalez to oversee the caucus’s long-term mission of advocacy and legislative reform.

Read more here: Imperial Valley Press