Could San Diego and Imperial Counties Split from California?

If one of the efforts to divide up California into smaller states became reality, San Diego and Imperial County would thrive, according to land use consultant Wayne Raffesberger.

1 minute read

July 1, 2017, 9:00 AM PDT

By wadams92101


San Diego Rail

cliff1066â„¢ / Flickr

Venture Capitalist Tim Draper purportedly spent $5 million trying to qualify a ballot initiative to divide California into six smaller states. There have been other efforts to divide the state into smaller states. And of course, there was the short lived "CalExit" movement—until it was revealed to have Russian ties. San Diego land use consultant Wayne Raffesberger is sick of condescending pontificating from the North while L.A. and the Bay Area get most of the funding. He says bring it on: 

We are already far better positioned to go it alone than most would imagine.  On the big issues — water availability, electricity, transportation, and planning, we are either already largely independent of the rest of the state, or could be within a few years.

. . . 

Imagine if our two counties formed a new state of South California, one with a  constitution that celebrates individual liberty, not special interests.  A state devoted to environmental and economic self-sustainability.  It would contain some of the most productive agricultural land in the country, the most important naval base, the best zoo and amusement parks, world-class universities, spectacular scenery, and a fantastic climate.  How special we could be.

For his full opinion, see the source article.

Tuesday, June 20, 2017 in UrbDeZine

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

September 16, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

Passengers board an Amtrak train under a cloudy sky.

Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement

The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.

September 18, 2026 - Mass Transit

A coal power plant in Iowa billows smoke into the air.

Nation's most wind-powered state turns to coal as data centers increase energy demand

For the first time in decades, Iowa has increased its generation of coal power.

September 17, 2026 - Inside Climate News

A rendering of the planned bridge over a large river. The bridge has two main support beams that form diamond shaped arches over the bridge.

Alabama scores up to $2.5 billion federal loan for largest infrastructure project in state’s history

The Mobile River Bridge and Bayway Project aims to ease congestion at Alabama’s worst bottleneck.

4 seconds ago - NBC 15

Public land in Idaho. Most of the photo is a green field, with mountains and a forest in the distance.

Trump is considering data centers on 6 states' public land — some state officials say they had no idea

If the administration approves the proposed projects, data center and data center-related developments will cover 17,600 acres of public land.

1 hour ago - The Washington Sun

Two construction workers on a wind turbine, with two more in the background against a pink sky.

Despite court ruling, Trump is keeping nearly all wind projects in the US on hold

At least 110 wind energy projects have not heard from the government since a federal judge ruled that the Trump administration's freeze on wind turbine clearances was likely illegal.

2 hours ago - Heatmap