The counties of Riverside, Imperial, San Diego, Orange, San Bernardino, Kings, Kern, Fresno, Tulare, Inyo, Madera, Mariposa and Mono forming the proposed new state of South California, as suggested by Riverside County Supervisor Jeff Stone.
In the aftermath of California Governor Jerry Brown’s budget, Riverside County Supervisor Jeff Stone has reopened the debate for the establishment of two Californian states. Needless to say, Stone has received considerable flak for the proposal.
“We have a state Legislature that has gone wild. They just don’t care. Their goal was to get a balanced budget so they could continue to get a paycheck. There is only one solution: A serious secession from the liberal arm of the state of California. I know the state of California can do better.” - Jeff Stone
In 2009, former California Assemblyman Bill Maze proposed a similar ballot initiative to ‘Downsize California‘. This too sought to address the Liberal/Conservative divide by allowing 45 counties to emerge as Renewed California, and establishing Coastal California (13 contiguous coastal counties between L.A County to Marin County).
Hear the 2009 Interview with Bill Maze over his proposed ‘Downsize California’ ballot initiative
Back in 1993, the California State Assembly voted 46 to 26 to establish a ballot measure allowing a vote on the division of California, which later failed to eventuate past the State Senate.
Then there is the long proposal of the rural areas of Southern Oregon and Northern California, to both secede from Oregon and California creating the new State of Jefferson.
At each step of the way, the attempt to carve up California has stalled at every turn. As a current resident of Kern County, Jeff Stone’s concept might be capable of tapping the zeitgeist to finally end the deadlock, and resentment rural Californians feel towards Sacramento’s way of continually pushing LA and SF mannerisms.
Craig Edwards
Unrelated Listening: Propellerheads – Take California
