February 11, 2003
Washington Senator Seeks to Form 'West Idaho'
Apparently, a Washington state senator wants to carve out a new state from those portions of Washington and Oregon which sit east of the Cascades:
Much has been made of the rift between urban and rural communities in the Northwest, especially in the last few elections. According to an Associated Press story, a Washington state senator is pushing a plan to carve a new state out of eastern Washington and eastern Oregon.
Sen. Bob Morton told AP that eastern Oregon and eastern Washington are similar in culture and climate, as are western Oregon and western Washington.
He's asking the Washington legislature to fund a $27,000 study of the feasibility of changing state boundaries in this manner.
Comments (3)
Emma on 11 Feb 2003
Reminds me of "Jefferson State"--a new state formed by Southern Oregon and Northern Cali. The failure of these plans goes to show that diversity is, generally speaking, better for everyone. (And it doesn't hurt to have a bigass city as an economic engine from which you can siphon tax dollars.)
jack bog on 12 Feb 2003
Good riddance! They can have Medford and Ashland too if they want!
Emma on 13 Feb 2003
Wait--Ashland rocks! Maybe a free zone. Grants Pass, now that one I could let go.