SALEM, OR - Crook County, Oregon became the thirteenth county to vote in favor of secession to join neighboring Idaho on Tuesday. The largely conservative rural counties have voted to leave the Democrat-dominated state over the last two years with this most recent measure passing with 53 percent of the vote.
Speaking to The Post Millennial, the organizers of the Crook County Measure, known as the "Greater Idaho Measure," explained that the move to secede from Oregon was fueled by the progressive policies favored by the Portland and Salem coastal areas. They said that the state government has alienated the eastern counties and that attaching themselves to Idaho would allow their citizens to benefit from more equal representation in Boise, lower taxes, and better governance.
As previously reported by Law Enforcement Today, Oregon has been plagued by serious issues such as high crime rates, and lax prosecution as well as ongoing epidemics of homelessness and drug use.
Executive Director of The Greater Idaho Movement, Matt McCaw, said in a press release, "The voters of eastern Oregon have spoken loudly and clearly about their desire to see border talks move forward. With this latest result in Crook County, there's no excuse left for the Legislature and Governor to continue to ignore the people's wishes.
"We call on the Governor, Speaker of the House, and Senate President to sit down with us and discuss next steps towards changing governance for eastern Oregonians, as well as for the legislature to begin holding hearings on what a potential border change will look like."
In the press release, the movement states that it is seeking to relocate the border between Oregon and Idaho approximately 200 miles to the west to include 14 full counties and three partial counties. In 2023, the Idaho House of Representatives passed a measure inviting their Oregon counterparts to begin discussions.
Under Article IV Section 3 of the Constitution of the United States, no state may be formed by "the junction of two or more states, or parts of states, without the consent of the legislatures of the states concerned as well as Congress."
Therefore, in addition to facing the formidable hurdle of a Democrat-led Oregon legislature hostile to the notion of the secession of the largely Republican districts, the movement would also require the consent of a divided Congress.
As noted by The Post Millennial, although it was a minor change, the border was last modified in 1958.
Speaking to The Post Millennial, the organizers of the Crook County Measure, known as the "Greater Idaho Measure," explained that the move to secede from Oregon was fueled by the progressive policies favored by the Portland and Salem coastal areas. They said that the state government has alienated the eastern counties and that attaching themselves to Idaho would allow their citizens to benefit from more equal representation in Boise, lower taxes, and better governance.
As previously reported by Law Enforcement Today, Oregon has been plagued by serious issues such as high crime rates, and lax prosecution as well as ongoing epidemics of homelessness and drug use.
Executive Director of The Greater Idaho Movement, Matt McCaw, said in a press release, "The voters of eastern Oregon have spoken loudly and clearly about their desire to see border talks move forward. With this latest result in Crook County, there's no excuse left for the Legislature and Governor to continue to ignore the people's wishes.
"We call on the Governor, Speaker of the House, and Senate President to sit down with us and discuss next steps towards changing governance for eastern Oregonians, as well as for the legislature to begin holding hearings on what a potential border change will look like."
Mike McCarter, the president of the movement, provided additional background, saying, "For the last three years we've been going directly to voters and asking them what they want for their state government. What they're telling us through these votes is that they want their leaders to move the border. In our system, the people are the ones in charge, and it's time for the leaders representing them to follow through."Despite being heavily outspent by Portland opposition, tonight Crook County became the 13th county in eastern Oregon to vote for Greater Idaho. It's time for the Governor and Oregon Legislature to listen to the people and begin border talks. https://t.co/6FuQVuTIrc…
— the Greater Idaho movement (@GreaterIdaho) May 22, 2024
In the press release, the movement states that it is seeking to relocate the border between Oregon and Idaho approximately 200 miles to the west to include 14 full counties and three partial counties. In 2023, the Idaho House of Representatives passed a measure inviting their Oregon counterparts to begin discussions.
Under Article IV Section 3 of the Constitution of the United States, no state may be formed by "the junction of two or more states, or parts of states, without the consent of the legislatures of the states concerned as well as Congress."
Therefore, in addition to facing the formidable hurdle of a Democrat-led Oregon legislature hostile to the notion of the secession of the largely Republican districts, the movement would also require the consent of a divided Congress.
As noted by The Post Millennial, although it was a minor change, the border was last modified in 1958.
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Comments
2024-05-25T07:39-0500 | Comment by: Tim
The Blue cities in these west coast 'woke' states will lose the tax base from the seceding counties. Don't blame them for wanting to leave. Just wonder whether the loss of revenue will have any impact on Blue states' policies.