POLITICO California Playbook PM: A deal for now on the Colorado River

Presented by Heat Pump Nation: Your afternoon must-read briefing on politics and government in the Golden State

May 22, 2023 View in browser   By Camille von Kaenel and Rachel Bluth Presented by Heat Pump Nation END OF A DRY SPELL: The West has a truce on the Colorado River — but not a treaty. California, Arizona and Nevada officials announced today that after nearly a year of backroom negotiations and missed deadlines, they have agreed to curb their use of water from the major river by roughly 13 percent through 2026 in exchange for $1.2 billion in compensation from the federal government. The plan — quickly applauded by other Western states and several powerful California water agencies — is a milestone. It shows that consensus is possible on what is, literally, a life-or-death issue in the West. It also comes just in time, ahead of forced cuts from the federal government and as the region’s growing population, agricultural use and climate change put the river under unprecedented strain. The saving of 3 million acre-feet under the deal is short of what’s needed to avoid long-term disaster. Water levels have already fallen to the point that the Colorado River may no longer be able to support hydropower if further action isn’t taken. The outlook for the future is even worse because of climate change and projected population growth. A wet winter gave negotiators an extra year of breathing space. The deal announced today mainly aims to avoid the Biden administration's stepping in, possibly as soon as this summer, to impose mandatory water cuts that could have been far greater. “It was intended to be a bridge deal,” said Jeffrey Kightlinger, the former general manager for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. “It's not going to be, ‘Pencils down, let's celebrate and take some time off.’ It's going to be, ‘OK, now we immediately start negotiations for the next one.’” The federal government still has to approve the deal, and the major players will have to iron out who gets how much money for the agreed-upon cuts. The Interior Department will start talks in a few weeks on what to do after 2026. The Colorado River flows at Horseshoe Bend in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area on June 8, 2022, in Page, Ariz. | Brittany Peterson/AP Photo HAPPY MONDAY AFTERNOON! Welcome to California Playbook PM, a POLITICO newsletter that serves as an afternoon temperature check of California politics and a look at what our policy reporters are watching. Got tips or suggestions? Shoot an email to rbluth@politico.com or send a shout on Twitter. DMs are open!   A message from Heat Pump Nation: California lawmakers must protect low-income and working-class communities that are severely impacted by extreme heat and high energy bills. The Equitable Building Decarbonization and Community Resilience Centers programs can lower energy bills, cut pollution, improve public health, and bring clean cooling to those who need it most. Restore the $1 billion in funding for these important programs in the state budget. Learn more.   WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TODAY REVISIONIST HISTORY: Textbook publishers that changed content under pressure from Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis are facing renewed scrutiny from the left, led by Gov. Gavin Newsom. The California governor clawed at his red-state rival over the weekend by asking publishers to disclose whether — and how — they tweaked their social studies curriculums after DeSantis objected to “political indoctrination” within dozens of texts. Newsom also requested public records from DeSantis’ office and the Florida Department of Education in search of communication between GOP officials and the publishers. "California will not be complicit in Florida's attempt to whitewash history through laws and backroom deals," Newsom wrote in a letter Saturday to publishers that Florida considered using. “California deserves to know whether any of the companies designing textbooks for our state’s classrooms are the same ones kowtowing to Florida’s extremist agenda.” It’s a familiar play from Newsom, who frequently slights DeSantis for pursuing content restrictions in schools. This latest move adds to the rhetoric, hanging the weight of the nation’s largest textbook market over publishers’ heads. The timing is also key. DeSantis is expected to announce a run for president in just a few days, and Newsom has signaled his desire to fight for national Democrats from his post as governor during the 2024 cycle. — Blake Jones ON THE BEATS WATER WORKS: Finally, some good news for the people of Corcoran. For weeks, the Central Valley town has been under the threat of flooding as the heavy snow in the Sierra begins to melt, causing the Kern River to surge and the reemergence of the long-dormant Tulare Lake. All that has separated the newly restored lake from the town was a 14.5-mile levee that didn’t appear to be high enough to keep back the water. State officials announced today that it now appears the town will be spared from significant flooding thanks to water diversions and levee improvements. Water levels in the Kern and other nearby rivers are expected to surge over the holiday weekend and will remain high through July. As a result, the state says, people in Corcoran and nearby areas should stay alert. “We want to strongly emphasize we are not out of the woods by any stretch of the imagination,” said Office of Emergency Services spokesperson Brian Ferguson. — Wes Venteicher NOT LOCKED IN: Newsom’s proposal to overhaul San Quentin State Prison lacks detail and could be too expensive to replicate, the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office has concluded. The governor with great fanfare in March revealed his plan to transform the prison into a Scandinavian-style facility for inmate education and rehabilitation, but he declined to get into specifics beyond budgeting to convert a warehouse into a vocational facility. Newsom has “not identified any clear changes to policy, practice, or prison environments,” the LAO found — and the $680 million price tag for the renovation project (including debt service) means it would be tough to spread beyond San Quentin. — Jeremy B. White   A message from Heat Pump Nation:   AROUND CALIFORNIA — “Indigenous tribes warned of a buried kingdom in Owens Valley. Now, Caltrans crews are unearthing bones,” by the Los Angeles Times’ Louis Sahagun: “Now, as nearby bulldozers lumber over huge mounds of excavated earth, tribal historic preservation officers are demanding that the California Department of Transportation halt construction and realign the project to avoid the gravesites.” — “California foie gras ban will remain in place after Supreme Court rejects challenge,” by the San Francisco Chronicle’s Bob Egelko: “The Supreme Court rejected a poultry industry challenge Monday to California’s ban on foie gras, a gourmet food produced by force-feeding ducks and geese.” — “How California public transit is pleading for state aid,” by CalMatters’ Sameea Kamal: “Transit agencies are seeking $5.15 billion in operating funds over the next five years — warning that without substantial cash, they’ll fall deep into a financial pit caused by a continued decline in ridership since the pandemic and the drying up of federal funds.” MIXTAPE — “STEM careers can help Latinos fight social inequity, but students need to seize scholarships,” by the Los Angeles Times’ Alejandro Maciel  — “Rare plant species rediscovered in California, experts say. See ‘truly thrilling find,’” by the Fresno Bee’s Daniella Segura  — “Unhoused woman swept up by raging Central Valley river. ‘Survival instincts kicked in,’” by KVPR’s Esther Quintanilla   A message from Heat Pump Nation: California lawmakers must protect low-income and working-class communities that are severely impacted by extreme heat and high energy bills. The Equitable Building Decarbonization program expands access to electric heat pumps, weatherization, and other essential home upgrades for low-income households. The Community Resilience Centers program upgrades community centers, schools, libraries, and other public facilities to provide life-saving cooling, backup power, and access to critical resources for working-class communities of color. These important programs lower energy bills, cut pollution, improve public health, and bring clean cooling to those who need it most. Now is not the time to cut or delay funding for programs that serve our most vulnerable communities. To achieve our climate goals and an all-electric future, we need to ensure that all Californians can access clean energy. We must restore the $1 billion in funding for Equitable Building Decarbonization and Community Resilience Centers in the state budget. Learn more.     Follow us on Twitter Katy Murphy @katymurphy POLITICO California @politicoca   Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook  |  Playbook PM  |  California Playbook  |  Florida Playbook  |  Illinois Playbook  |  Massachusetts Playbook  |  New Jersey Playbook  |  New York Playbook  |  Ottawa Playbook  |  Brussels Playbook  |  London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters Follow us

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