The “Greater Idaho” movement continues to gain momentum, promising to free conservative counties east of the Deschutes River from the destructive policies and Democratic control that are all but guaranteed by residents of more populous, left-leaning areas closer to the coast, such as Mayor Ted Wheeler’s Idaho. Crime-ridden Portland.
On Tuesday, Crook County voters
Ballot 7-86“Should Crook County state that its residents support the effort to move the Idaho border, including Crook County?”
The majority voiced their support for moving west across the border to join their conservative brethren in the Gem State.
discussion
Opponents of the bill unsuccessfully argued that Idaho participation was problematic in a state voter pamphlet, 86-7.
- Unlike Oregon, Idaho is pro-life.
- Idaho, unlike Oregon, has a sales tax and a low minimum wage.
- Idaho isn’t particularly lax when it comes to voter registration.
- “Idaho does not allow video poker machines in retail stores.”
- Moving the border could reduce recreational drug sales in Oregon.
- “Idaho does not have a state-sponsored health insurance program for low-income people.”
- New Idaho residents must pay “out-of-state fees” for hunting, fishing, and camping activities along the Oregon coast.
If the number of voters decreases, Oregon could lose a member of Congress.
“There are ways to improve governance in central and eastern Oregon,” said Greater Idaho Citizens President Mike McCarter, a firearms instructor from the town of La Pine. This system is now outdated because it does not align with the location of the border between counties that prefer the style of governance in Idaho and counties that prefer the style of governance in Oregon.
McCarter also noted that Crook County residents would be better represented in Idaho, where the state Legislature is “controlled by representatives from local districts who govern according to the concerns and priorities of their local counties.”
McCarter’s organization also has
was suggested “Only 25% of Oregonians who are registered to vote are Republicans,” he said, stressing that if they aren’t, they will continue to live under the control of Oregon’s politicians. “They don’t understand how we make a living. Their decisions are hurting industries like timber, mining, trucking, ranching and agriculture.”
“Where do we turn when the government won’t listen to our requests for compensation?”
Idaho Rep. Barbara Ehart (R) recently
Said CNN: “Constitutionally, people should have the opportunity to seek relief from their government.”
“If you go to seek relief and the government doesn’t listen, where do you turn?” she continued. “They were looking to us for the next best thing: relief.”
“The right to choose our own government is a fundamental principle in the United States,” Greater Idaho Executive Director Matt McCaw wrote in a voter pamphlet. “That’s why we have votes for government offices, we redistrict every 10 years, and we have the initiative system. The goal of all these systems is to get the government that people actually want and that aligns with their values.”
“Eastern Oregonians have little say in our state government, even less political power, and are constantly forced to adopt policies that we don’t want and that don’t reflect our communities and values,” McCaw added.
Clearly, 53.44% of Crook County voters are more interested in regaining a political say over their own destiny than they are in abortion rights, automatic voter registration, sales taxes, or slot machines.
“yes” Ballot 7-86. Voting results will not be certified until June.
reaction
“The voters of eastern Oregon have made it loud and clear that they want border negotiations to move forward,” McCaw said.
Said “We call on the Governor, House Speaker and Senate President to sit down with us to discuss next steps toward governance changes in Eastern Oregon, and we call on the Legislature to begin holding public hearings on what potential border changes might look like,” the statement read.
“What they’re telling us through this vote is they want their leaders to move the border. In our system, the people are in charge and the leaders who represent them It’s time to do that,” McCarter said.
Greater Idaho suggested the “yes” vote would have been higher without the opposition campaign funded by Portland groups.
Idaho Gov. Brad Little said in 2020 that he liked the idea of ”Greater Idaho” when the first eastern Oregon counties began voting to leave Oregon in the lurch. suggested.
a bit
Said In an interview with Fox & Friends, he said, “What’s going on in the Portland area has a huge impact on rural Oregon, and I understand they look favorably on Idaho because of our regulatory environment and our values. That’s not a surprise to me at all.”
But little attention is paid to the various legal “hurdles” that Western Idaho’s hopefuls must first clear. The U.S. Congress and the state legislatures of Oregon and Idaho must approve any border changes.
KOIN-TV
I got it. The Idaho Legislature passed a bill last year to begin discussions with Oregon lawmakers about the effort.
Prior to the meeting, Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) joked that he would consider a Boise-Sun Valley swap.
In addition to Crook County, Sherman, Morrow, Union, Wallowa, Jefferson, Wheeler, Grant, Baker, Malheur, Harney, Lake and Klamath counties have reportedly passed bills in support of joining Idaho.
Border travel has long been an interest, but coronavirus restrictions supported by Democrats
reportedly He helped give the movement the traction it needed to get to where it is today.
Like Blaze News? Avoid censorship and sign up for our newsletter to receive articles like this straight to your inbox. Please register here!
