Posted on 04/24/2024 8:27:17 AM PDT by Cronos
For the people who now live in Eastern Oregon, they could see some of their existing rights eliminated under Idaho law, writes guest columnist Rebecca Tallent.
It is unique: Some parts of Oregon are seeking a divorce from the state because the residents do not feel represented in the state Legislature.
In recent elections, 11 Oregon counties voted to change states, from Oregon to Idaho. Greater Idaho, the nonprofit group promoting the move, said four Washington Counties (Asotin, Columbia, Walla Walla and Garfield) also expressed interest in moving. But what would this mean for Idaho?
On its website, Greater Idaho said the cost would need to be negotiated between the two states, claiming Idaho would greatly benefit from taking 9 percent of Oregon’s population. The organizers recommend Oregon give Idaho 9 percent of its government assets and liabilities.
Wallowa County commissioners press Gov. Kotek, Legislature on ‘Greater Idaho’ border talks
Well beyond increasing the square miles of the state and an initial small influx of cash, the Idaho Legislature would need to do serious work to find new revenue sources since there is no major industry in Eastern Oregon. Currently there is tourism, agritourism and ecotourism, but the traditional industries of timber, agriculture and mining have decreased in recent years.
Greater Idaho’s organizers claim there will be a $170 million per year benefit to Idaho, but without major industry and declining existing industries, how does this make sense?
This means current revenue dollars would need to be stretched even more thinly to support roads, provide health and human services, license certain professions, education for both K-12 and higher education, land management, regulating alcohol and other products, and many other aspects of government. Idaho’s Legislature currently has trouble doing this for the state’s existing land mass, what if Idaho almost doubled its size?
Take transportation for example, including supporting the thousands of road miles which would be added. This year, the Idaho Legislature barely passed the Idaho Department of Transportation budget over arguments concerning the department’s State Street building. Adding more buildings and roadways under this move would create similar future issues, perhaps resulting in even smaller budgets.
Another case is higher education. There is always serious debate in the state Legislature about proper funding for Idaho’s four major colleges. What would happen if four more were added? How could the Legislature add Eastern Oregon University plus three community colleges (Blue Mountain, Central Oregon and Columbia Gorge) to the mix? There is also this question: Would Eastern Oregon University simply have a name change or be folded into Boise State University or the University of Idaho?
Then there is the question of existing health care law in Idaho and the loss of physicians in rural Idaho thanks to recent legislation criminalizing some medical practices. A recent survey by the Idaho Coalition for Safe Healthcare shows 77 of 117 physicians surveyed said they are considering leaving the state, most citing the state’s abortion law. Would Eastern Oregon physicians also pack up and leave for the same reason?
Other issues to consider when it comes to existing laws are whether Idaho would allow for the higher Oregon minimum wage ($14.20 per hour vs. Idaho’s $7.25) to remain or allow Oregon residents to continue legally using hemp, CBD or marijuana?
There is something else Oregonians need to consider: They are protesting the fact the Oregon Legislature does not listen to their concerns. Do they think the Idaho Legislature will be any different?
Especially this year, there have been many outcries as the Idaho Legislature held hearings on issues such as library access, but then ignored the comments and voted in legislation against the will of the people.
These are just a few of the issues Idaho would encounter should it adopt what is now Eastern Oregon. Financially, it makes little sense for Idaho although, as kingdom building goes, it could be an ego boost for state officials.
But what of the people who now live in Idaho? It could be a massive problem as taxes are likely to be raised and services are likely to be lessened due to budget constraints. For the people who now live in Eastern Oregon, they could see some of their existing rights eliminated under Idaho law.
While, initially, such a move might be good for many people in Eastern Oregon, in the long run it could be nothing short of a boondoggle for Idaho. One of the proposed “Greater Idaho” maps, which calls for several Eastern Oregon counties to secede and join Idaho. (Courtesy of greateridaho.org) 
I think there is justification for many states to adjust their borders. Can it be done? Aside from miniscule border adjustments, has there ever been large-scale adjustments?
Fat fake injun throws phony shade on Oregon Escape plan.
Oh Noes! Abortion won’t be on demand! Run for your lives!
Undoubtedly all the Mexicans in Pendleton will be traumatized
Klamath Falls is pretty liberal. Im afraid their votes would not benefit Idaho.
As a landowner in Eastern Oregon, already convinced that Greater Idaho should happen, you’ve just convinced me more :)
Changing state borders requires assent by the state legislatures involved as well as Congress.
Most of these things are not legitimate aspects of government anyway, and should be eliminated.
I would LOVE to see this happen.
The trend would be for lower Illinois to split down the middle with the West half asking to join Missouri and the East half asking to join Indiana.
Then Southeastern California can petition to join Arizona.
It would make for some interesting realignment of electoral votes.
“Klamath Falls is pretty liberal. Im afraid their votes would not benefit Idaho.”
At least the proposed border leaves Bend in with the rest of the Commies. Since it’s in the middle of nowhere some may think it’s a good Republican area.
I presume the recent leftward lurch in Deschutes County is coming from nutbuckets who can’t stand Portland or Gresham anymore, and want someplace new (Bend) to ruin. That plus the inescapable Mexican invasion that’s going on pretty much everywhere.
No far-left state is going to split in “half” — ever.
Why would Democrats concede to going from a situation where a state has 2 Democrat Senators, to having the same area on the map suddenly have 2 Democrat Senators and 2 Republican Senators?
Never happen.
A state would have to split into at least 3 parts (2 of which favor Democrats) or it will never have the slightest chance of being allowed.
There would be no change to senators since Eastern Oregon would be joining Idaho. Oregon would benefit since Eastern Oregon only draws revenue and provides Republicans to the state legislature.
“There would be no change to senators since Eastern Oregon would be joining Idaho.”
No kidding. That’s why I wasn’t talking about Oregon/Idaho and was specifically referring to states splitting in HALF, like that one poster wished for in Illinois.
If I lived in eastern Oregon, of course I’d be all for joining Idaho. It’s to have actual representation instead of being overwhelmed and outvoted by the sewage from the rest of the state which makes Oregon permanently “blue”.
Eastern Oregon University is in LaGrande. It could become Western Idaho University.
And then what happens when Eastern Washington wants to join Idaho?
“The trend would be for lower Illinois to split down the middle with the West half asking to join Missouri and the East half asking to join Indiana.”
Indiana sure as hell does not want Chicago.
You miss my point-they want to flee Illinois to get out f4rom under the leftist death-grip Chicago has on Illinois.
I say split it into three part with Iowa, Mizzou and Indiana taking the areas next to them and leave Illinois as Greater Chicago, Springfield and East St. Louis.
That way, Mizzou, Iowa and Indiana get more electoral votes and more conservative citizens and the parasitic lefties in Chicago and Springfield can feed off of their own with fewer electoral votes.
It’s a win/win!
A new state needs to be created. Take the existing State of Jefferson proposal and add Eastern Oregon and Eastern Washington.
Actually, we need about fifty new states for more accurate representation. Every major metro area needs to be expelled into statehood.
“A new state needs to be created. Take the existing State of Jefferson proposal and add Eastern Oregon and Eastern Washington.”
I like the idea, but anything which increases Republican representation in the House or Senate and/or detracts from liberal representation is a non-starter. Now if it were the other way around, they’d force it through by the end of the week.
Wowza!
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