Two rural California counties to vote on state split proposal

Yuba County supervisors adopted a resolution Tuesday morning supporting the separation of 35 inland counties from California. Sutter County supervisors were scheduled to consider a similar measure Tuesday afternoon. Both counties lie north of Sacramento and are part of the proposed new state.

The plan covers most of Northern California, the Sierra Nevada, the Central Valley, and the Inland Empire.

Background of the proposal The measure was introduced last year by a Republican assemblyman after Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom approved new congressional district maps. The assemblyman said at a press conference that the split would give rural areas greater representation.

The resolution states that the 35 counties would form a separate state. Yuba and Sutter counties would be included in the new state.

Reactions from county officials Yuba County Supervisor Andy Vasquez Jr. cited state spending on a high-speed rail project and homelessness programs as reasons for supporting the split. Another supervisor said rural counties should receive a larger share of state tax revenue without additional lobbying.

Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom's office previously called the proposal a political stunt that will not advance. The measure requires approval from the Democrat-controlled state legislature, where passage is considered unlikely.