Could South California Become The 51st State?

Not since the Civil War has a state seceded from itself as West Virginia did in 1863, but it looks like someone in California would like to see it done here.

Opponents of this campaign say that breaking up the state is the wrong answer to the right issue. James Mayer, executive director of California Forward, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization working to bring government closer to the people says the state needs to give more power and authority back to the local counties so they can each manage and control spending that is required in their communities.

South California

The new state would contain 13 of California’s south-eastern counties which is home to 13 million residents. The counties to be included in the new state are: Riverside, Fresno, Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Mono, Orange, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Tulare. California Supervisor Jeff Stone believes that the power struggle between Sacramento and local counties (and cities) is the main reason for the financial distress of the state. He says that the state government raids local coffers to plug budget holes.

Stone says the real division would not be one between northern and southern California, but internal and coastal California. “This would divide the state in a way that makes political sense: liberals in coastal California and conservatives in east California,” he adds. “It would allow the liberals to increase taxes to pay for those services they want, and the conservatives to reduce regulations and taxes in their state.”

North California would be comprised of the remaining 45 counties in California including Los Angeles.

My two cents

I’ve always thought the battle between northern California and southern California was over water, but apparently it’s just a matter of government practices. I doubt this will ever go through, but if it does it would be interesting to see just how each state performs in comparison to each other. I have a feeling that without LA county, South California would end up becoming a poorer state. My other concern is where would they put that 51st star on the U.S. flag?