In the face of persistent political challenges and perceived governmental failure in Sacramento, a radical solution was proposed in 2011. Republican Supervisor Jeff Stone proposed the secession of 13 counties from the rest of the state to form a new entity, ‘South California.’ We examine this audacious proposal a decade later and assess whether the idea remains viable for the affected regions.
According to Stone’s plan, Riverside, Fresno, Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Mono, Orange, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Tulare counties were all to be part of the new state. These areas, primarily Republican-leaning, have an aggregated population of 13 million. However, Los Angeles County was notably excluded from the proposal due to its alignment with what Stone characterized as the ‘liberal problems’ of Sacramento.
Critics of the plan were swift and dismissive. “A secessionist movement? What is this, 1860?” Governor Jerry Brown’s spokesperson, Gil Duran, responded. Duran called the proposal a “supremely ridiculous waste of everybody’s time.” He pointed to the pressing economic challenges in Riverside County, such as the impending $130 million revenue gap, suggesting the focus should be on fiscal rectitude rather than political restructuring.
Stone’s vision for ‘South California’ was not limited to a mere geographical split. The proposed new state would feature a part-time legislature without term limits and strict controls on property taxes.
Interestingly, at the time of Stone’s proposal, another secessionist plan was in motion in the neighboring state of Arizona. A group named ‘Start Our State’ had symbolically declared the independence of ‘Baja Arizona,’ a Southern region of Arizona disgruntled with the Republican politics of the more significant state.
However, secession is not a simple task. Article IV of the U.S. Constitution stipulates that the state’s legislature and Congress must approve creating a new form. While proposals to split California have been tabled over 220 times since the 1850s, the chances of their fruition remain slim. The last successful state split was in 1863, when West Virginia was created during the Civil War.
As radical as these proposals seem, they underline a profound discontent with the political status quo. Whether secession is, the answer to these frustrations is debatable. Still, it is undeniable that these proposals point towards a need for political restructuring and increased representation for the regions in question. Even a decade later, the echo of ‘South California’ continues reverberating, reminding us of the ongoing challenges and the urgent need for viable solutions.