Another Eastern County voted to approve allowing its governing body to advocate for Greater Idaho talks. Wallowa County voters narrowly approved the measure by seven ballots — eight would have created an automatic recount. The voices of the three remaining counties, Crook, Umatilla, and Gilliam, have yet to be heard on the decision. However, Crook County leaders unanimously agreed to allow voters to verify their position in May 2024. They will be the 13th county to vote on the measure.
Recently, KGW spoke with Crook County Judge Seth Crawford, one of three county governing board members. He spoke about his decision and his approach to the county about Greater Idaho talks.
“We heard from many people in our community on both sides of the issue. It was people that wanted to see the borders move and people who didn’t.” Judge Crawford voted yes because he wanted Crook County citizens to have a voice in the conversation.
KGW also asked the judge his opinion about Oregon’s Eastern counties’ citizens wanting to secede. “I’ve voiced my concern with the group; my biggest issue is water rights…Before I personally would vote in favor of it, what does that mean for the individual farmer’s water rights? Are those transferable? Is the state of Oregon going to allow those water rights to go to Idaho?” He added, “I think there’s a lot of questions in the entire thing.”
Lifestyle and Political Differences Drive Greater Idaho Discussion
The main driver behind the Greater Idaho push is political division. Judge Crawford explained that governing to suit Portland, the state’s largest and most liberal city, “just doesn’t fit out here.”
“We have different lifestyles, different needs, and really different communities. I’ve heard people say they’re looking for the opportunity for more local control of what’s going on in our communities.”
As a result of these differences, Oregon’s Republican Senators boycotted most of this legislative session due to extreme differences of opinion on the constitutionality of bills before them — gun, abortion, and transgender persons’ rights in particular. Like Eastern Oregon county governments, Idaho does not permit medical or recreational cannabis possession or use.
The Greater Idaho website indicates these senators announced that they would continue to block votes in the Oregon Senate. This unconstitutional boycott jeopardizes hundreds of bills, including the state budget.
Thoughts and Opinions On Moving Oregon’s Border
In a guest column for Bend Bulletin, Mike McCarter asks, “Do you want Oregon to hold Eastern Oregon communities captive in a state they don’t wish to remain in?”
Furthermore, “Idaho is a red state that respects the value of faith, family, and rural jobs.” Moving the state line would serve the interests of the Eastern counties’ voters.
The Greater Idaho advocates believe there is a good chance to convince Oregon to let the Eastern counties go because not having to continue to subsidize them would benefit the Western counties.
Many say Greater Idaho is a pipe dream that will never happen. Perhaps they are referring to voters choosing to move the state line. Once the counties agree to leave Oregon, both state legislatures must approve the change. Finally, pushing a state’s boundaries must be approved by both chambers of the United States Congress.
Written by Cathy Milne-Ware
Sources:
Greater Idaho Website: Greater Idaho is on the ballot in Crook County, avoids recount in Wallowa County
Idaho Capital Sun: Oregon’s Wallowa County votes for ‘Greater Idaho’ talks, Crook County schedules vote; by Julia Shumway
KGW 8 NBC News: After ‘Greater Idaho’ wins narrow victory in Wallowa County, Crook County next to vote (Video)
Bend Bulletin: Guest Column: Let Easter Oregon Go To Idaho; by Mike McCarter
Featured and Top Image by Carol Jacobs-Carre Courtesy of Flickr – Creative Commons License
First Inset Image by Greater Idaho (Press Images) – Creative Commons License
Second Inset Image by Visitor7 Courtesy of Wikimedia – Creative Commons License
Third Inset Image by Greater Idaho (Press Images) – Creative Commons License
