Silicon Valley venture capitalist Tim Draper has created an initiative to divide the state of California into six new mini states with new, smaller governments and state constitutions. Although Draper has reached more than 1.3 million signatures in support, there is still very little possibility of a state split actually happening. We asked some Cougars what they thought about the state split proposal.
“I think it’s kind of dumb. I feel like everybody wants to be their own state, but there’s no real reason to divide into six. I don’t think it’s worth the trouble.” — Cameron Holdaway, Statistics, Washington, D.C.
“I already feel like there are six Californias, if not more. I don’t think it’s practical, but there’s definitely a lot of tension in that state; they are really divided up.” — Alasdiar Ekpenyong, Art history, Baltimore, Maryland
“If it will help the states’ government work better then it makes sense.” — Tanner Harmon, Finance, Richmond, Virginia
“I think it would be good politically. Southern California and Northern California have different political stances and cultural differences. I think it would be helpful towards that.” — Emma Allen, Special education, Carlsbad, California
“States always want to do that; Texas always wants to be it’s own thing, and I guess if you let California do what it wants then what stops any other state from wanting to do the same?” — Katherine Hanzel, Exercise and wellness, Saratoga Springs
“Well my first thought is then there wouldn’t be 50 states, but I think it could be a good thing and a bad thing.” — Tracy Brown, Business, Portland, Oregon
“It would be like cutting Maryland up into ten different pieces; no one would do it. It’s weird.” — Simon Maxwell, Biochemistry, Bethesda, Maryland
“It might be a good idea for taxes, but I don’t think it will end up happening.” — Sarah Morris, English, Orem
“I imagine that if you spilt it up it would be more evenly divided, and everyone can have more of a voice according to their needs and situations. But honestly I don’t know how it would affect.” — Alex Cummock, Microbiology, Houston, Texas
“I think six is a lot; it’s too many. I think it would be a lot less organized at first; any government takes time to be perfected, and I think it would be hard to start at the beginning and recreate something that they already have.” — Taylor Doxey, Special education, Portland, Oregon
