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Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2014 10:07 am
by Leisher
Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2014 10:19 am
by TPRJones
It would be the smartest thing they could do. So of course they won't.
Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2014 10:19 am
by TheCatt
I wonder if this will happen. I'm guessing no. Do states outside of California get a vote? IIRC, the federal government would have to approve, right?
Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2014 10:33 am
by TPRJones
Article IV:
New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new States shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be formed by the Junction of two or more States, or parts of States, without the Consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of the Congress.
So basically once the state legislature of Cali passes it then it goes on to Congress to make it so. Cali law allows for prop votes to end-run the state legislature but I don't think that will apply here since it's really US law that is being dealt with instead of Cali law.
The only exception I know of to the above is Texas, which can split up into as many as five states without getting the approval of Congress, because it was pre-approved at the time of the state's admission to the union.
Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2014 10:34 am
by Leisher
Yes, the government would have to approve the new states.
According to the article, there are other "break California into new states" plans throughout the state, so it's got an outside chance. I could see local leaders getting behind it because they would be able to grab more power.
I would find it interesting to sit back and watch how the different states adapt without influence from the others.
Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2014 11:41 am
by Troy
The Northern state would quickly pass marijuana legislation and become an agricultural power.
Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2014 12:24 pm
by GORDON
It would be nice to break up their... what... 50 electoral college votes?
Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2014 12:26 pm
by Malcolm
GORDON wrote:It would be nice to break up their... what... 50 electoral college votes?
I'm virtually sure that's what'll kill this initiative.
Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2014 12:38 pm
by TPRJones
It would mean more votes per citizen, as Cali is currently short on votes overall. And more Senators, of course.
If it comes down to electoral votes, the Republicans would be in favor of splitting those up since Cali has been overall blue for some time. As long as the US Congress has a Repub majority when this comes through then there's a chance it might happen.