Opinion: State of Jefferson different from all the rest

By Terry Gherardi

The media blitz about New California has brought great attention and concern for many in our Jefferson counties, but perhaps even greater confusion for  Californians, or, “here we go again,”  as stated by many in the news media. This is in reference to the various movements or actions under way to separate or secede from California.

The only similarity between State of Jefferson and New California is both movements are looking to separate under Articled 4, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution. What sets us apart from New California and others is that State of Jefferson and Citizens for Fair Representation is about representation.

Jan. 6,  2016 – The date when all 21 counties completed filing declarations/petitions with the secretary of state and Legislature, seeking equal/fair representation and/or to separate (not secede) from the state of California. This was followed by tens of thousands of  emails, letters, phone calls, faxes and visits to legislative offices, by constituents, requesting their elected representatives author a Bill or Resolution to resolve the imbalance of representation; the worst of all 50 states. All requests went ignored.

May 8, 2017 – Citizens for Fair Representation filed a lawsuit against Secretary of State Alex Padilla for lack of representation and dilution of vote. In September, the first hearing was held in the U.S. Federal District Court and CFR is currently awaiting the date to be scheduled for the second hearing.

Who are the rest and what is the difference?

State of New California: Still includes many counties of the greater Bay Area and Southern California who would still retain the majority seats in both chambers of their new state legislature, or same imbalance of representation. As far as the odds of the California state Legislature approving their separation from the state, on Jan. 25 in a New California website survey, Californian’s were asked “would you support the State of New California?” 90 percent of 20,000, responded no.

Tim Draper’s three-way state split: Petitions are currently being circulated for an initiative on the November ballot to split the state into three. One cannot split a state by just a vote of the people. It  still has to be approved by the state Legislature and U.S. Congress. Stan Statham tried this in 1992, and a majority of the northern counties did in fact vote yes, as did the state Assembly, but it failed to pass in the state Senate.

Yes California, Calexit: Once again, circulating a second round of petitions for a ballot initiative to secede from the United States, forming its own country. If they gather the required number of signatures to place on the November, ballot and voters approve, this would have to be placed on another ballot on the next general election (2020). If voters were to approve, both the United States and California Constitutions would have to be amended.

John Cox, Neighborhood Legislation: Watch for this initiative on this year’s election ballot. Because the state Assembly and Senate districts have grown so large; one assembly member for every 500,000 and one senator for every million, the Cox initiative, divides each of those huge districts into 100 neighborhoods – each with its own representative. Those 100 representatives in each district will meet and select one of their number to go to Sacramento. The problem – there will still be just be 80 assembly members and 40 senators meeting and voting in the Capitol building. The one county of Los Angeles will still have 15 senators and we in the Northern rural area will still have only one senator representing 11 counties. Southern California and greater San Francisco Bay Area still rule.

Strong on Jefferson and representation

State of Jefferson and Citizens for Fair Representation: The largest movement and only movement in California, seeking equal/fair representation for all citizens, in all 58 counties of California and when successful, will also impact those citizens in about 30 other states. This resolve has been undertaken by a diverse number of plaintiffs, to include cities and counties, using the process allowed under our nations judicial system. As previously noted, the case is  currently being heard in the U.S. Federal District Court, Eastern District, Sacramento Division, Judge Kimberly Mueller presiding.

Terry Gherardi is the public information officer for Citizens for Fair Representation dba State of Jefferson.