State of Jefferson Supporters Seek Independence from California

Will Northern California become the nation's 51st state?

On Wednesday, supporters of a plan to create the nation's 51st state submitted a declaration of separation to the California Secretary of State and State Legislature. Rallying in front of the State Capitol, over 200 citizens representing 21 counties voiced their frustration over what they precieve as a lack of representation that is ruining their way of life.  As the Sacramento Bee explains:

Jefferson proponents contend that their rural areas lack adequate representation in state government, which has led to over-regulation and environmental policies that decimated their regional economies, particularly the logging and mining industries that historically supported them. Their seal bears an XX, signifying that they have been double-crossed by state government…

Reason TV covered the movement behind the State of Jefferson back in 2014.