Splitting California into six states is six times the crazy

Within the last year, when Modoc, Siskiyou and Glenn counties passed resolutions in favor of seceding from the state, it seemed little more than a plea for attention from an oft-ignored part of California. It was a crazy plan, and we doubted even the folks in the proposed State of Jefferson took it seriously.

Now, with billionaire Tim Draper’s announcement that he will finance a ballot initiative to split California into six separate states, we have a proposal that’s at least six times crazier, yet more likely to be taken seriously.

Dividing California as Draper has proposed would widen the gap between rich and poor parts of the state, escalate disputes surrounding issues like water rights, and increase costs associated with highways, public schools and more by creating five new governments to run them. Besides, the plan has absolutely no chance of being approved by Congress, which would not be eager to make room for 10 new senators or provide incentives for other “split the state” movements.

Don’t sign Draper’s petition. California is the nation’s most diverse state, but it’s not ungovernable. The way forward is in working for consensus, not encouraging divisiveness with fantasies of secession.