U.S. Drought Monitor

----------

Dry California Cities Covet Farms' Full Glass

There is more at risk than just the water now on the negotiating table. Unless there is a deal by the end of the year, the cities stand to lose much more, through an abrupt federal cutoff of 15 percent of Southern California's water supply.

The situation has elevated the farmers to a position of great power, and they are capitalizing on the moment, demanding more and more from the cities — beginning with payments of $2 billion over 75 years — for water the farmers now get for next to nothing. [read more]

thanks to Politics in the Zeros

The farmers are charging the cities for water provided to the farmers at tax payers expense. What is wrong with this picture?