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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsBillionaire’s Plan To Split Up California Would Divide The Rich From The Poor
SACRAMENTO Calif. (Reuters) A long-shot proposal to break California into six separate states would also divide rich and poor, according to a legislative analysis released on Wednesday. The plan, which supporters hope to put before voters as a ballot initiative this November, is backed by Silicon Valley billionaire Tim Draper, who submitted 1.3 million signatures in favor of his proposal to Secretary of State Debra Bowen last month.
At least initially and perhaps for many decades after their creation the six proposed new states would have widely varying income levels, said the report by Legislative Analyst Mac Taylor. The wealthiest of the proposed new states would be Silicon Valley, comprised of the affluent, pricey tech hub near San Jose, along with San Francisco. That state would have a per capita income of $63,288, twice that of the poorest region and a third higher than Californias current per capita income of $46,477. A state of Silicon Valley would bring in $2,168 per person annually in income taxes, the report showed.
The poorest of the new states, to be carved out of the agricultural Central Valley, would have a per capita income of $35,510 and bring in $472 in income taxes per resident. Jefferson, to be carved out of the northernmost California region near the Oregon border and named after the third U.S. president, would have per capita income of $36,147, and garner income tax of $463 per person per year.
West California, which includes Los Angeles, would fall in the middle, with a per capita income of $44,900 and annual per capita income tax of $1,116. Draper, who has funded the campaign, says his plan would create a more business-friendly environment, solve the states water issues and ease traffic congestion. But the idea has raised bipartisan hackles across California, and opponents say it stands little chance of gaining voter approval. Even if it does, it must still be passed by Congress, which opponents say is also unlikely. http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/08/13/billionaires-plan-to-split-up-california-would-divide-the-rich-from-the-poor-report/
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)I give this one about a .00000000000000000000000001% chance of becoming reality. And that's generous.
Louisiana1976
(3,962 posts)XemaSab
(60,212 posts)by cutting the supply off from the demand.
Jefferson and North California would be fine.
The other four states? Notsomuch.
Journeyman
(15,038 posts)djean111
(14,255 posts)would have less money for infrastructure and schools and such. I would imagine that businesses would flock to the richer states, leaving the poorer states with even less income from sales taxes.
Assholes. Just an elaborate scheme to make sure their taxes only get spent on themselves.
XemaSab
(60,212 posts)There are no businesses in Jefferson.
djean111
(14,255 posts)collecting sales taxes from the start.
Do you think this plan is a good idea?
XemaSab
(60,212 posts)You're giving it WAAAAAAAAY too much credit there.
Kilgore
(1,733 posts)He is a big supporter of the plan. From what he tells me, the locals feel nothing in common with SoCal or the Bay Area.
XemaSab
(60,212 posts)but there are no businesses that would feel compelled to relocate.
The lumber mill's not going anywhere.
hughee99
(16,113 posts)Places that don't have water now still won't have water if you just call them a new state. I don't see how this won't make water issues much worse in more than half of the new states. Areas of CA that now have water brought in from other parts of the state will now have to negotiate with a new "state" to get water.
TeamPooka
(24,254 posts)joeybee12
(56,177 posts)And are there products/services of his that I can boycott?
Pardon me while I go google.
lpbk2713
(42,766 posts)They would have to mow their own grass and watch their own kids.