Proposed Split Looks to Increase Tax Revenue but Could Weaken Representation in Congress
There is a petition started by Tim Draper, founding partner of DraperFisher Jurvetso, to split California into six separate states claiming that California is too large of a state to govern.
The question is frequently asked: will the splitting of California really solve the numerous issues that are occurring? Or will the State fall into anarchy?
California’s population and diverse culture has led the state to become practically ungovernable. All the different religions, cultures, and each city having their own niche of ideals has made it a great impossibility for the government to have control, according to the Huffington Post
When Professor Gregory Bordelon, lecturer of the political science department, was asked if diversity makes a state harder to govern he responded, “Concededly yes. Every entity to go through any state shouldn’t be the driving source for a succession movement. The separate sections of the state have more things in common than separate to make a split. Californian presence in the Congress will weaken if they separate. If they lose that, they will not have a strong influence. No one will want to go to California.”
Water, seems so available, yet there has always been the issue of The Northern parts of California transporting water to The Southern parts. If that cycle were to stop, California would go back to looking like flat-desert land. When asked if the division of California into states would help the issues with water shortages Bordelon said, “Sacramento would have a difficult time succeeding. The best solution for the state is to stay whole; it is far easier than succession.”
Mallory Inselberg, a freshman political science major said, “I believe this bill will inevitably reach an escalation for the national government to get involved. Whether the water rights were discussed and solved, the state has many other issues within its borders that need to be addressed in order for the state to maintain its ability keep peace and enact legislation for the betterment of the entire state and all the people”.
If the bill does pass, what is going to happen to California’s students? Are they going to be bombarded with Out-Of-State taxes because they will technically not be In-State students if the separation into six states happens/is carried out? Bordelon states that “as a general matter. Likelihood of this happening is impossible. They would need all components to agree and congress to approve. State legislators are trying to convince congressional California legislation not to go anywhere.” When asked why Professor Bordelon thinks California should stay in one piece he responds, “ it would be unpractical, groups that want to secede off logistically concerns, on their own… have to reassess that this kind of change isn’t cheap to set up.”
Economically, California is the “eighth largest economy in the world,” according to an article in the Huffington Post which is quite a strain on the states government. Bordelon said, “Cluster of states locked together for a reason.” Meaning while they are trying to solve other issues they are forgetting why they are grouped as one. A lot of things would have to change.
Inselberg said, “California’s population has grown exponentially in the past decade, which has created many ideological differences within its border. This is probably the primary reason for its desire to split into six states. With greater diversity within the single state, it becomes harder for the state to enact legislation that appeals to the vast majority of the people.”
Inselberg continued, “Despite its potential benefits, California will suffer as a result of separation. Change is imperative for progress; however this is a drastic measure that can result in the dissolution of the integrity of the state as opposed to the creation of six new, well-equipped states that are prepared for the ordeals that acquiring statehood entails.” Inselberg believes the bill will pass. “Although diversity and population growth is essential for continuing prosperity, it makes it harder for the state to control the people and maintain a firm grasp over the expanding ideological differences,” said Inselberg.