Assemblyman James Gallagher

COLUSA, CA (MPG) - Rural frustration over water policy, state mandates, shrinking local control and what county leaders described as a widening political divide between urban and inland California is fueling new support across Northern California for Assembly Joint Resolution 23, a proposal signaling interest in forming a new state from California’s existing boundaries.

County boards in Colusa, Sutter, Butte and Yuba counties approved resolutions backing AJR 23 during May meetings. The proposal, authored by Assemblyman James Gallagher, would formally express legislative consent for specified counties to potentially form a new state, subject to approval by Congress.

The Colusa County Board of Supervisors approved its resolution May 19 after supervisors and public speakers argued rural counties are increasingly overshadowed by urban political priorities.

County leaders said the proposal was intended primarily to “send a message” to Sacramento that rural residents believe state policies favor urban population centers while agricultural and inland counties continue losing political influence.

Colusa County Supervisor Daurice Kalfsbeek-Smith said rural communities are increasingly frustrated by state policies that fail to reflect the needs of agricultural counties.

“The state’s one size fits all approach is what’s destroying rural California,” Kalfsbeek-Smith said.

Public speakers in Colusa also voiced support, including a representative of the State of Jefferson movement who urged officials to continue demanding greater Northern California representation.

But the strongest concerns surfaced days later in Sutter County, where supervisors tied the proposal to mounting frustrations over public safety costs, infrastructure funding, wildfire policy, water storage and state oversight.

Sutter County Supervisor Dan Flores said his support for the resolution stems from what he sees as a widening gap between state expectations and the resources counties receive to meet them. He said counties are increasingly expected to manage homelessness, mental health services, public safety, roads and public works, and health care while state funding fails to keep pace.

“It’s not because I don’t love California. It’s really because I do love California,” Flores said. “My family has lived in this state for generations and California is our home.”

He said counties are now functioning as the “front lines of government,” with residents turning first to local officials when problems arise.

“When people need help, they do not call Sacramento, they call us,” Flores said.

Sutter County Board Chair Mike Ziegenmeyer described similar frustrations, pointing to state budget cuts affecting local youth, veterans and senior services while counties continue facing growing financial pressures.

“We’re running prisons now,” Ziegenmeyer said, referring to state public safety realignment policies that shifted additional incarceration and supervision responsibilities onto counties.

Ziegenmeyer also criticized what he described as excessive state control over grant funding and local projects, saying counties are often required to complete studies and mandates dictated outside their communities.

“We have water issues,” Ziegenmeyer said. “We have all kinds of water, and yet we can’t get storage.”

Rural leaders also pointed to wildfire concerns, local project restrictions, grant limitations and Proposition 50, a Democratic redistricting proposal following the death of U.S. Representative Doug LaMalfa, among frustrations raised during the discussions.

AJR 23 lists 15 Northern and inland California counties, including Colusa, Butte, Sutter and Yuba, as eligible to participate in the formation of a new state if approved by Congress.

The proposal itself does not divide California. Any future state split would still require approval from both the California Legislature and Congress under the U.S. Constitution.

Colusa County Board Chair Merced Corona said he supported the resolution as a symbolic effort to draw attention to rural frustrations with state government but said he does not necessarily support splitting California into two separate states.

“I feel we are stronger together,” Corona said. “Dividing California into two smaller states would better serve the citizens by fostering governance that is more responsive and representative.”