the country has to step in and save them

Can you explain why somebody has to, especially when most other areas have their own problems?

The folks at /r/relationships generally offer absolute solid advice. If the issues with California are re-framed as relationship problems between a family called the Cals, and water represented by money, I think you'll see what's likely to happen over the next three years. (Note: No gender is implied.)

Think of it this way:

• So-Cal is a spouse that loves to lay by the pool, eating water greedy almonds, and washes their car so they look good for their friends.

• No-Cal is the SO that brings in water, but doesn't get to keep it

• Texas is a wealthy in-law that lives far away. It has oil, which is necessary to get water from Point A to Point B.

• Michigan is a poor in-law that is struggling to survive

• The agricultural southern states are that in-law that ran out of water a few years back, and remembers what dry times are like

Now, imagine The Cal's write a letter to their family saying "We forsee problems putting food on the table because we're running out of money."

What would /r/relationships advise? "No-Cal, you have to send So-Cal packing."

But No-Cal can't seem to break things off.

So-Cal asks grandfather (the Government) to step in. There will be lots of fighting, some money gets sent, but not enough. The extended family stops talking to each other.

So-Cal becomes cousin Dupree.

They show up to Michigan, then crash on Michigan's couch. They bitch about how boring things are, and refuse to get a job because the pay is low. They get kicked out.

They stop by the South. Again, So-Cal is unimpressed - the South has peanuts, but those aren't as good as almonds. So-Cal eventually realizes that while life is somewhat sustainable there, the South is just as crazy as they are, but has more religious fanatics with guns.

Last stop: rich family member Texas. Texas agrees to help So-Cal in exchange for whatever equity So-Cal can get out of the house. They empathize with No-Cal, but sorry: You should have been a stronger spouse.