Democrats have a trust problem in the Delta

Inside the Golden State political arena

Dec 13, 2023 View in browser   By Dustin Gardiner and Lara Korte California Gov. Gavin Newsom prepares for an interview in Simi Valley, California. | Mario Tama/Getty Images THE BUZZ: WATER WARS — Gov. Gavin Newsom’s effort to build a mega tunnel to send water from Northern California to Southern California faces the same obstacle that doomed past governors’ efforts: deep distrust from residents of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. The governor has, in recent days, reaffirmed his support for a 45-mile underground tunnel that would move water under the Delta south into the system that provides water to 27 million residents. His stance has reignited opposition from Delta residents, environmentalists, the fishing industry and tribal communities. One of Newsom’s sharpest critics on the issue has been Rep. Josh Harder, a Democrat who represents much of the inland estuary. He told Playbook that the project embodies a decades-old resentment about Sacramento politicians putting the needs of SoCal ahead of one of the state’s poorest regions. Harder, who flipped a red House seat blue in 2018, said emotions about the Delta tunnel and neglect of the region could cripple Democrats’ efforts to win and hold seats in the Central Valley. “That tendency makes it really hard to then campaign in an area where folks feel like second-class citizens,” Harder said. “This is a very simple project. It steals from Peter to pay Paul.” Newsom’s administration had hoped to ease opposition to the project by scaling it back — from two tunnels under former Gov. Jerry Brown to one tunnel — and rerouting it away from wetlands and closer to Interstate 5. But those efforts have fallen flat with many opponents. Harder said he will use any means to block the project, including by carrying legislation to prevent the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from issuing permits. He scolded Newsom and the state for aiming to send water “down south so Beverly Hills can have green lawns.” The governor argues the project is a necessary response to climate change, allowing the state to more easily save water as it faces more severe whiplashes of drought and flooding. “Doing nothing is not an option,” he said last week. It would also shore up a crumbling network of levees and canals that send water south, a system that’s vulnerable to failing during a major earthquake, his office said. Newsom’s plan is environmentally sound and would benefit the “vast majority of residents” as extreme weather destabilizes their water supply, said Jennifer Pierre, general manager of the State Water Contractors, which represents water agencies. “Californians no longer want every drought to be an emergency,” she said. Newsom’s administration will likely have a tough time getting buy-in from Delta communities that are already struggling with intruding saltwater from the San Francisco Bay and toxic algae blooms, which have damaged the farming and fishing industries. Newsom can start building that trust by offering protections to ensure river flows won’t be harmed — and assurances that Delta communities will have recourse if those agreements aren’t upheld, said Felicia Marcus, the former chair of the state Water Resources Board and one of former Gov. Brown’s right-hand advisers on water. “In the Delta, they feel oppressed by everyone,” she said. “There’s this sense that the ‘big guys are going to take it away from us.’” Officials at the Department of Water Resources said the state will be required to uphold water-quality standards if the tunnel is built. They said the tunnel is designed to capture water north of the Delta during wet years, not replace the state’s existing system to transport water south. “The angst of it will always be there, and I want to be very respectful of that,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “But I also believe that this project has done enormous work and has put a lot more details on the drawing board.” — with help from Camille von Kaenel GOOD MORNING. Happy Wednesday. Thanks for waking up with Playbook. And thanks to everyone who joined us for trivia in Sacramento last night! Scroll down for more on the winners… PLAYBOOK TIP LINE — What other climate issues are you monitoring in 2024? Give us a ring or drop us a line. Now you can text us at ‪916-562-0685‬‪ — save it as “CA Playbook” in your contacts now. Or drop us a line at lkorte@politico.com and dgardiner@politico.com, or on Twitter —@DustinGardiner and @Lara_Korte WHERE’S GAVIN? In New York City to film an appearance on “Late Night With Seth Meyers.” TRIVIA CHAMPS — Our second POLITICO California trivia night was a smashing success. Thanks to all who came out for a night of festive fun at Fox & Goose. Stay tuned for more events in 2024! THE WINNERS — Team Green, featuring Anthony Matthews, Harry Ermoian, Alexander Soto, Brian Ebbert and Tony Gonzalez, took home the grand prize. Team Green | POLITICO THE BEST DRESSED — Santa’s Braindeers, featuring Alex Mehlbrech, Grayson Doucette, Tami Martin, Salina Valencia, Vienna Montague and David Sforza, were decked out for the holidays. Santa's Braindeers | POLITICO SPOTTED — Jay Wierenga, Molly Robson, Adam Gottlieb, Jason Ikerd, Mike Robson and Jack Ohman as the team “What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?” What’s the Frequency, Kenneth? | Courtesy photo SPOTTED — Jennifer Fearing, Amy Supinger, Michael Cohen, Amy Costa and John Myers as the team “$68 billion ways to lose.” $68 billion ways to lose | Courtesy photo See you next time! WELCOME TO WASHINGTON Laphonza Butler is seen during a reenactment of her swearing-in ceremony to the Senate in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 3, 2023. | Stephanie Scarbrough/AP PARDON THE INTERRUPTION — Sen. Laphonza Butler has gotten the Code Pink treatment. The newly minted senator experienced a kind of Washington rite of passage as she faced the ubiquitous protest group on Tuesday at a forum sponsored by POLITICO. Shortly after she took the stage, she was interrupted with cries of “blood on your hands,” and “cease-fire now.” She handled the confrontation with the deft skills of a seasoned diplomat. "It's not as if any of us cannot acknowledge that any loss of life is too much. So, I understand very much their passion, appreciate their freedom to speak their mind," she said upon returning to the stage. "That is what a democracy is all about." Israel's response to the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas has divided Democrats and sparked widespread protests around the U.S. The protest at the Butler event came as President Joe Biden warned Israel that international support it had after the attack was at risk of fracturing over its response to the Hamas attack. Newsom appointed Butler to the seat previously held by the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein just days before Hamas attack that killed about 1,200 Israelis, including many women and children. Butler said the timing has made her first few months in office more challenging than expected. "It was not the service that I thought that I was signing up for," Butler said. "But when asked to serve your country in any way, I think all of us sort of do the best we can in the moment that we have." WHAT WE'RE READING TODAY NO PRESSURE: Can a 27-year-old find a way to convince California’s cities and farmers to cut a deal over the Colorado River? (POLITICO) HOT SEAT: The House’s impeachment inquiry against President Biden presents a quandary for Republicans who represent districts that voted for Biden in 2020. They include Orange County Reps. Young Kim and Michelle Steel. (The OC Register) EXPO ENDS: E3, the gaming industry's largest convention held for over two decades in Los Angeles, has shut down for good. (The Washington Post) DIGITAL DISCRIMINATION: LA City Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson was expected to introduce a motion to process complaints against internet service providers from residents who receive slow internet service. (LAist) PLAYBOOKERS TRANSITIONS — Former chief of staff to the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein, James Sauls, has joined Cassidy & Associates in their defense practice. He formerly served on the Senate Intelligence Committee. Chad Sydnor has been promoted to lead the defense practice at Cassidy & Associates. — Joseph J. Boylan, David J. Feder and Caroline O. Van Wagoner have been promoted to partners at the law firm Jones Day. BIRTHDAYS — Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) … Todd S. Purdum … Google’s Riva Sciuto … (was Tuesday): Irving Azoff ... Eric Maskin ... Yuval Bar-Zemer ... Mayim Bialik  CALIFORNIA POLICY IS ALWAYS CHANGING: Know your next move. From Sacramento to Silicon Valley, POLITICO California Pro provides policy professionals with the in-depth reporting and tools they need to get ahead of policy trends and political developments shaping the Golden State. To learn more about the exclusive insight and analysis this subscriber-only service offers, click here. Want to make an impact? POLITICO California has a variety of solutions available for partners looking to reach and activate the most influential people in the Golden State. Have a petition you want signed? A cause you’re promoting? Seeking to increase brand awareness amongst this key audience? Share your message with our influential readers to foster engagement and drive action. Contact Jesse Shapiro to find out how: jshapiro@politico.com.   Follow us on Twitter Dustin Gardiner @dustingardiner Lara Korte @lara_korte 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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