Question for those who live in California

[ultrarunner]

Interesting CA map divided by voter results

The most favored is a 3 or 4 division and then there is the State of Jefferson which was nearing possible reality just at the time WWII started.

WA also has a movement for part of the state to join Idaho.

 

[jyoutz]

The most favored is a 3 or 4 division and then there is the State of Jefferson which was nearing possible reality just at the time WWII started.

WA also has a movement for part of the state to join Idaho.

Would those be economically viable states? Just wondering.

 

[ericm979]

Is this a change from earlier maps that were more blue or red?

Not for the last 30 years or so. Before that, CA had Republican governors and other officials. But the Republican party in CA was much different then.

Would those be economically viable states? Just wondering.

The ones made up of SF, LA or San Diego would be. If LA county was a state it'd be about 14th in revenue. Admittedly it's large in area and population. The central valley is a huge agricultural area and might be able to stand on its own or as a major part of a new state. But the far north, sierras and desert don't have much of an economy. They're partly supported by the more populated counties. For example far Nor Cal Trinity county took in $45M in 2022 and recieved $75M. Any new state that's primarily made of those places will have a tough time.

The state of Jefferson has been a pipe dream for nearly a century. Far north California, and southern Oregon, are both far from their respective state's centers of gravity. They feel remote which is why I like them.

Logging was historically the big revenue generator in Jefferson. 80 or 100 years ago logging was a viable way to support an economy. But most of the area has been over-logged and poorly managed. The trees they're bringing out are tiny compared to 40 years ago. Even if they're been managed sustainably, in today's economy logging is pretty low value... unless you're willing to buy $20 2x4s.

I don't think the state of Jefferson or any of the many Californias proposals are going to happen. With a two party system, if a change benefits one party the other one will block it. In the 1800s there was a similar situation with pro- and anti- slavery sides wanting to add new slave or free states. But unlike that era there's no pressure to do any of these state splits and thus no reason for the sides to compromise.

 

[ultrarunner]

Would those be economically viable states? Just wondering.

Hard to say and California as a powerhouse would no longer have the same status.


In many ways it's the dense urban hubs vs the remainder...

Integrating infrastructure would be a challenge as SF water comes from the mountains, etc...

Many outside the urban areas want no part of urban...

 

[plowhog]

public funds and incentives that inevitably go bankrupt or require on going support ... Raiders and A's leaving ... Auto makers left what was once home... huge foundry making cast iron pipe for over 100 years had enough and moved ... smaller field offices from large companies like Grainger are fleeing SF ... Chevron sold it's magnificent Bay Area world headquarters relocating to TX... Mom and Pop Housing providers getting out .... big hotels and Malls closing...

You have a tendency to sugar coat how things really are, eh?