Hundreds of people gathered Sunday at the Redding Senior Center to discuss the future of the State of Jefferson movement. Northern Californian’s clamoring to create a 51st state seek to separate 21 northern counties from the south and some want to invite 7 Southern Oregon counties to join the new state. Jeffersonian’s argue that the density of Southern California’s population gives them a disproportionate representation in matters that affect the entire state. There was a burgeoning movement in 1941 interrupted by World War 2 and Assemblyman Stan Statham gave it a try in the early 90’s. Since 2013 resolutions have been approved by Boards of Supervisors in Siskiyou, Modoc, Glenn, Yuba and Sutter Counties. Tehama, Modoc, Glenn, and Yuba Counties have had successful voter-approved declarations. Siskiyou and Lassen Counties have placed the question to voters, and it was denied. The group plans to file suit against the state before the end of the year, with the intention of pushing the issue to the supreme court. Constitutional scholars say the creation of a 51st state would require congressional approval and ratification by all the existing states.
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