PUBLIC POLICY INSTITUTE, INC.
WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA

The Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank. We are dedicated to informing and improving public policy in California through independent, objective, nonpartisan research. We believe in the power of good information to build a brighter future for the state. We are committed to providing high-quality research and analysis. And we encourage civil, productive dialogue that inspires sustainable policy solutions in Sacramento and around the state. Californians are making these critical decisions at a time when policies in Washington can change with bewildering speed and major implications for the nearly 40 million people who call our state home. This is a challenging landscape to navigate—for voters making choices this year and for the leaders they elect to govern in the years ahead. PPIC is in a unique position to help. At a time when separating fact from fiction can be difficult, PPIC’s reputation as a trustworthy source of rigorous, independent, objective, and nonpartisan information is more important than ever. Our fact sheets provide clear and concise summaries of key topics. Our authoritative reports—on issues from Mission, Vision & Values Our Mission Our mission is to inform and improve public policy in California through independent, objective, nonpartisan research. The Public Policy Institute of California adheres to a set of core values, beliefs, and principles that guide our organization’s choices and staff actions as we meet our mission of informing and improving public policy: We provide information that is responsive to both immediate and long-term demands of state policymaking. We engage broadly with civic, business, labor, nonprofit, government, educational, and research groups. We disclose our methods, resources, and processes and provide free access to our publications to all interested parties. We are committed to a workplace that offers mutual respect, collegiality, collaboration, and inclusiveness; that supports personal, family, and professional development; and that demonstrates leadership in our environmental practices, appreciation for the state’s diverse people and regions, and recognition of the importance of public service. In its role of protecting PPIC’s independence, the board is not involved in choosing research areas, approving projects, or determining the content of reports or press releases. Instead, the board offers feedback and suggestions to management on PPIC’s strategic direction and on evaluation studies of our research and communications activities. It also offers help in outreach to policy audiences. In addition, the board is invited to comment on new proposals and receives briefings by management on PPIC’s quarterly activities and annual strategic planning. provides PPIC’s president and his management team with insight, advice, and informed opinions regarding the state’s policy environment and PPIC’s own initiatives, programs, and activities. . Members reflect the state’s demographic, political, racial/ethnic, and regional diversity; they have leadership roles in the public and private sectors, in nonprofits and foundations, and in universities and research organizations; they are state leaders who understand the critical role of research and information in public policymaking; and they share PPIC’s goal of contributing to an informed public policy process that will improve the policy decisions shaping both California’s economic well-being and its quality of life in the 21st century. have training and experience at the Bachelor or Master degree level and provide support to other researchers. The research associate career path can lead to co‐authorship on projects and, in some cases, will include independent research studies. The Richard J. Riordan Summer Intern Program at PPIC provides an opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students interested in a public policy career to work in a policy research environment. These internships are particularly appropriate for students in programs in economics, public administration, public policy, sociology, political science, urban planning, demography, and related disciplines. Generally, strong statistical and computer skills are required. In selecting interns, we look for a demonstrated interest in public policy research, with coursework or work experience relevant to one of the posted internship projects. Excellence; fit with our mission and goals; and diversity of talents, backgrounds, and viewpoints are important elements of the selection process. , a versatile and comfortable venue. This circular room’s striking sculpted wood fins are designed to provide acoustics suitable for both live discussion and high-quality recording. Seating may be arranged to accommodate classroom, theater, or boardroom style presentations, or banquet style for dining. California’s mountain snowpack has historically provided “free” seasonal storage for meeting summer irrigation needs. About a third of the state’s annual water supply is stored as snow in the Sierra headwaters. Large reservoirs across the state capture melting snow and release it during our dry summers. Experts have recently begun referring to a new type of drought— But this might change relatively quickly. As the figure shows, during successive dry years we rapidly draw down storage in reservoirs. By year two or three of a drought, reservoir releases are cut back and water scarcity becomes a problem, particularly in many agricultural regions. Groundwater helps reduce the impacts of drought, but it isn’t sufficient for extended droughts, and significant cutbacks in water use are required. California suffers a statewide drought only rarely, and the impacts of drought vary. Southern California is a relatively dry region, but it imports half of its water from Northern California and the Colorado River basin, both of which provide more reliable supplies. The central coast, which is not well connected to the statewide water system, relies much more on local precipitation and storage, which means it has a higher vulnerability to drought than other regions. In many areas, groundwater helps offset the loss of surface water during droughts. But long-term overreliance on groundwater—especially in the San Joaquin Valley—has led to negative effects, including dry wells, sinking lands, increased costs of groundwater pumping, and reduced supplies for future droughts.