California Dreaming... or Nightmare

On September 5, 2013, I wrote a commentary entitled "The Newest State?" , where I overviewed the activities of the Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors and other counties in Northern California and southern Oregon, which were exploring the possibility to secede from California to create the new state of Jefferson. 

Now, this small campfire has grown into a wildfire throughout the entire state. In Thursday evening's Sacramento Bee a plan to divide California into 6 states has been advanced. Here is the article from The SacBee. 

In order for either of these proposals to reach fruition, the proponents of the proposals would have to collect approximately 800,000 valid signatures have to a chance

Map of Oregon and northern California showing counties proposed for inclusion in the State of Jefferson in 1941.made this with Illustrator, the map vector outlines were extracted from public domain National Atlas congressional district maps. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

to be placed on the ballot in November and be voted on by and win approval from Californians. 

Then, the State Legislature would need to approve the voters' wishes. IF that passes muster, then Congress would need to approve the break-up of one state.  Then if that passes, approve the admission of six new states, the appropriate number of constitutionally required Representatives and twelve total Senators. 

That will NEVER happen since it would give an unfair advantage of additional votes in the Senate to the former state of California. Presently, the state of California has two Senators. In essence, this would give California ten additional Senators. Representatives would virtually be unchanged due to the formula outlined in Article One of the Constitution.  

There would be many administrative nightmares which would arise from a split in California. Let's just hope this idea floats away like the smog in LA. 

Otherwise, the United States as we know it will be “Gone with the Wind”.