Beyond Jefferson

Proponents of a state initiative that would divide California into six states got the go-ahead from the Secretary of State’s Office Feb. 18 to start gathering voter signatures to qualify it for the November general election. If approved by voters, the U.S. Congress would have to agree as well.

The measure, according to a press release, would assign each county to a new state, “unless county voters approve reassignment to [a] different new state and [the] second state approves. Establishes commission to settle California’s financial affairs after division; upon failure to resolve, each new state would retain assets within its boundaries and would receive proportionate distribution of California’s debts based on population.”

It would also allow counties to refuse to provide state-mandated programs and services without sufficient funding and would give counties the authority to “make and enforce all laws governing local affairs.”