Splitting states

[Doctor Whom]

Actually, the right thing to do would be to split the nearby counties of both Maryland and Virginia (and perhaps even West Virginia) and create a "Columbia" or whatever they want to call it, give that 2 Senators and (if my math is right about 5 House seats) and let the rest of Maryland and the rest of Virginia, which have productive economies, carry on.

Maryland and Virginia legislators would have to agree to that, and they won't.  They know how the "productive economies" of places like Baltimore City are paid for.

[kkt]

What does Virginia have to do with it?  All the land Virginia originally contributed to DC they got back in 1847.

[oscar]

What does Virginia have to do with it?  All the land Virginia originally contributed to DC they got back in 1847.

And they'd have to give back that land, and more, for an expanded "Columbia" that would include D.C.'s suburbs now in both Maryland and Virginia.

[Brandon]

What does Virginia have to do with it?  All the land Virginia originally contributed to DC they got back in 1847.

And they'd have to give back that land, and more, for an expanded "Columbia" that would include D.C.'s suburbs now in both Maryland and Virginia.

Southern Virginia might actually go for it, but it would make this the third time Virginia was split to create another state.  The first two were Kentucky and West Virginia.

It's better, IMHO, to simply give Maryland back most of what is now DC minus the main governmental center along The Mall (White House, monuments, museums, Supreme Court, and Capitol Building).

[froggie]

Southern Virginia might actually go for it,

No they won't.  They hate Northern Virginia, but they also know that Northern Virginia butters their bread.  IIRC, something like 40-45% of state revenue comes from Northern Virginia.  The rest of the state isn't going to give up their financial lifeline.

[Brandon]

Southern Virginia might actually go for it,

No they won't.  They hate Northern Virginia, but they also know that Northern Virginia butters their bread.  IIRC, something like 40-45% of state revenue comes from Northern Virginia.  The rest of the state isn't going to give up their financial lifeline.

A bit of a different situation than Illinois then.  If downstate Illinois ever got the chance to kick Chicago out, they'd take it in a heartbeat.

[english si]

Australia with Canberra, Australian Capital Territory.

ACT is specifically to make the Capital not part of a state. OK, it gained 'responsible government' in 1988, but it is still denied (unlike other territories) an Administrator (fulfilling executive functions), instead being done by the Governor-General (in the stead of the Queen). Recently, the parliament relieved the Governor-General his veto power, but changed it so that they can veto any ACT laws by a majority in both houses.

In many ways it is like DC, though is perhaps given a little bit more autonomy. Plus they get 2 senators (same as NT - the states get 12 each), and representatives in the federal government.

[hbelkins]

A bit of a different situation than Illinois then.  If downstate Illinois ever got the chance to kick Chicago out, they'd take it in a heartbeat.

Kinda like how I feel about Louisville.

I do not, however, share that sentiment about northern Kentucky

[roadman65]

I would like to see New York City split from New York State.

I know that would be a disaster for the city itself without the rest of the state subsidizing it as it currently does, so NYC would never ever even remotely consider it.

[hotdogPi]

I would like to see New York City split from New York State.

I know that would be a disaster for the city itself without the rest of the state subsidizing it as it currently does, so NYC would never ever even remotely consider it.

Everything inside I-287 and all of Long Island should become part of the state of NYC.

Side effect: Connecticut and the state of NYC are within a mile but do not touch.

[kkt]

I would like to see New York City split from New York State.

I know that would be a disaster for the city itself without the rest of the state subsidizing it as it currently does, so NYC would never ever even remotely consider it.

Funny, NYC thinks they subsidize the rest of the state.

[jbnv]

I think we should reunite the Louisiana Purchase. 

States aren't little nations any more.

If the federal government keeps operating outside of its constitutional authority and lording over the states like it is now, they will be again. As it is, states are increasingly passing laws to nullify various federal statutes. The logical end result of this movement is someone outright seceding. And we know how that went the last time...

[hotdogPi]

I think we should reunite the Louisiana Purchase. 

That might be a bit much.

More reasonable (but still will never happen): Unite NV, ID, MT, ND, SD, WY, CO, UT, NE, and KS. The capital will be Denver. I-29 will not enter the state; instead, Minnesota and Iowa will extend to I-29. Las Vegas will become part of California.

Now what should this huge rural state be called? Ruralland? Unorganized Territory? Banana Republic? Or just one of the state names currently used?



Another idea: Unite New England into the state of New England. It takes New York east of the Hudson (north of I-287), so the western border of the state of New England would be the Hudson River. The capital will be Boston.

[Pete from Boston]

I think we should reunite the Louisiana Purchase. 

Now what should this huge rural state be called? Ruralland? Unorganized Territory? Banana Republic? Or just one of the state names currently used?

Easy: Deseret.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_of_Deseret

[SD Mapman]

I think we should reunite the Louisiana Purchase. 

Now what should this huge rural state be called? Ruralland? Unorganized Territory? Banana Republic? Or just one of the state names currently used?

Easy: Deseret.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_of_Deseret

Nah, the libertarians would hate the Mormons.
Trust me, I live here.

[vdeane]

Another idea: Unite New England into the state of New England. It takes New York east of the Hudson (north of I-287), so the western border of the state of New England would be the Hudson River. The capital will be Boston.

Charles II tried it.  It didn't go so well.

I think we should reunite the Louisiana Purchase. 

States aren't little nations any more.

If the federal government keeps operating outside of its constitutional authority and lording over the states like it is now, they will be again. As it is, states are increasingly passing laws to nullify various federal statutes. The logical end result of this movement is someone outright seceding. And we know how that went the last time...

Actually, most liberals would be very happy if the red states just left, and most conservatives would be even happier if the blue states just left, so a split might just be in the future.  Maybe the northeast could just go join Canada.  That would be nice.

[SD Mapman]

Another idea: Unite New England into the state of New England. It takes New York east of the Hudson (north of I-287), so the western border of the state of New England would be the Hudson River. The capital will be Boston.

Charles II tried it.  It didn't go so well.

I think we should reunite the Louisiana Purchase. 

States aren't little nations any more.

If the federal government keeps operating outside of its constitutional authority and lording over the states like it is now, they will be again. As it is, states are increasingly passing laws to nullify various federal statutes. The logical end result of this movement is someone outright seceding. And we know how that went the last time...

Actually, most liberals would be very happy if the red states just left, and most conservatives would be even happier if the blue states just left, so a split might just be in the future.  Maybe the northeast could just go join Canada.  That would be nice.

There'd be someone with national pride that would try to knit it back together... even though the center of the country would not mind secession in any way whatsoever.

On to splitting states: split SD down the river.

[Molandfreak]

instead, Minnesota and Iowa will extend to I-29.

[SD Mapman]

instead, Minnesota and Iowa will extend to I-29.

Yes! Remove East River!

[texaskdog]

I gotta get some cool maps for my cube at work

[cpzilliacus]

In many ways it is like DC, though is perhaps given a little bit more autonomy. Plus they get 2 senators (same as NT - the states get 12 each), and representatives in the federal government.

D.C. gets no representation at all in the U.S. Senate, even though it has higher population than at least one state.  Its only representation in the U.S. House of Representatives is a so-called "non-voting" delegate.

[froggie]

There'd be someone with national pride that would try to knit it back together... even though the center of the country would not mind secession in any way whatsoever.

They may not mind it, but as a servicemember I can't quite stomach the thought of secession.  The last time someone seriously entertained that concept in this country, we wound up with several hundred thousand deaths.  Imagine how bad it would be in today's world...

D.C. gets no representation at all in the U.S. Senate, even though it has higher population than at least one state.

Higher than 2 states (WY, VT) per Census estimates.  If not for the Bakken oil boom, they'd be closing in on a third (ND...the same oil boom finally pushed Montana over 1 million).

[cpzilliacus]

There'd be someone with national pride that would try to knit it back together... even though the center of the country would not mind secession in any way whatsoever.

They may not mind it, but as a servicemember I can't quite stomach the thought of secession.  The last time someone seriously entertained that concept in this country, we wound up with several hundred thousand deaths.  Imagine how bad it would be in today's world...

Agreed, even though I have never worn a military uniform.  We have a federal system for a reason - to allow the various states to do many things the way that they want to, subject to limitations of the Constitution and federal laws.

D.C. gets no representation at all in the U.S. Senate, even though it has higher population than at least one state.

Higher than 2 states (WY, VT) per Census estimates.  If not for the Bakken oil boom, they'd be closing in on a third (ND...the same oil boom finally pushed Montana over 1 million).

I knew D.C. has long had more population than Wyoming (576,412 according to 2012 estimate).

The estimated D.C. population (632,323) is currently a little higher than Vermont (626,011), but until the 2020 Census is done, I am cautious about making such statements. 

[bing101]

I used to work at a resort in Orlando many years ago, and people who lodged with us from places like San Francisco and Sacramento would refer to themselves as the "Real California."  When I mentioned the fact I visited LA and San Diego once, they looked at me and said "They're not California!" 

If California did split up I do not think any love would be lost between North and South there.

The same with New Jersey, my homestate.  Many from South Jersey consider us from North Jersey as a by product of New York, and do not like to say we are fellow New Jerseyians.  I think North and South Jersey could work as well.

www.capradio.org/articles/2014/03/13/court-approves-california-delta-smelt-protections/

Here's the reason why Jefferson and Southern California hates Sacramento county and Solano county its because these two counties have to deal with the Delta Smelt Issue and water conservation issue.

But if Solano County had a 7.x Quake on the Green Valley Fault Southern California and South San Joaquin Valley Can't get water at all for some time. Its because the Green Valley Fault is closest to the western edge of the Sacramento Delta. earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/nca/ucerf/images/2008probabilities-lrg.jpg

I don't think its possible for California to split into 3 parts because Jefferson needs the North end of Sacramento River somehow for its water supply. Also if that happens how will South CSU and South UC deal with the fact that funding is not decided from Sacramento but from a future state capital who stability is in question.

Also back to highways how will state route shields look like if California split into 3 parts. The Spade shield is a Sacramento, Solano, Bay area thing because of the Gold Rush of 1849. Jefferson North of Redding would use President Jeffersons face. But For South California a Mission Bell as a state route shield or a new state shape at its route shield? I'm Not sure with that one.

[SD Mapman]

There'd be someone with national pride that would try to knit it back together... even though the center of the country would not mind secession in any way whatsoever.

They may not mind it, but as a servicemember I can't quite stomach the thought of secession.  The last time someone seriously entertained that concept in this country, we wound up with several hundred thousand deaths.  Imagine how bad it would be in today's world...

Agreed, even though I have never worn a military uniform.  We have a federal system for a reason - to allow the various states to do many things the way that they want to, subject to limitations of the Constitution and federal laws.

Oh, I agree with this too. My intent was to just say that there are people who would want to leave... crazy though that might be.