Idaho House Passes Bill to Explore Absorbing Counties From Eastern Oregon Into “Greater Idaho”

The Idaho House votes in favor of bill to merge nearly a dozen conservatively-leaning counties in eastern Oregon Idaho is adjacent

On Feb. 15, the Idaho chamber voted 41-28, with one abstention, supporting HJM1—the “Greater Idaho” bill.

Now, the bill is sent to the state Senate for a final vote.

Greater Idaho, a movement claiming to be a part of the Idaho-Oregon Alliance, wants to join 15 conservative counties in eastern Oregon and Idaho. They claim it would reduce political tensions and gridlock in Oregon and provide other benefits.

Political Tensions would disappear

These include eliminating the need for the state of Oregon to subvention its east and south.

“Almost everybody will agree that we are very divided and that it causes tension. People recognize there is a problem. We’re offering a solution that makes sense,” Matt McCaw, spokesperson for the Greater Idaho Movement of Oregon.

He claimed that political tension would disappear “if you get people matched up to the government they want.”

Out of 36 Oregon counties, 11 have voted for the merger.

With a large majority vote, the measure was approved by both Wheeler and Morrow counties in November 8.

McCaw stated that studies and polls show that many Oregonians are in favor of shifting the state boundary to Idaho and changing the state’s governance.

However, legislation is the most important. “We have not had as much interest moving this bill forward in Oregon as we have in Idaho,” McCaw spoke to The Epoch Times.

“We’re hopeful the legislative leaders in Oregon will hear what the people are asking and saying, and move these forward.”

McCaw stated that there are “many good reasons” for the merger, and many economic as well as political benefits to reap.

Though Oregon would lose about 400,000 residents—about 9 percent—it would help resolve the longstanding political divide between the eastern and western parts of the state, proponents said.

Nearly half of the state votes Republican and conservative.

A Conservative Proposal

“Everybody understands the problem. Everybody is ready to look at this as a solution,” McCaw added.

McCaw claimed that the bill was “moving fast” Idaho is home to the bill, and its sponsors hope that the Senate will start hearings within the next month.

If the bill is passed by both state legislatures, then the next step would have to be to gather delegations to negotiate the merger and other details through an interstate compact.

McCaw indicated that the U.S. Congress would ultimately approve of the border realignment. However, McCaw suggested that it would be easier to do so. “formality.”

“We’re moving fast in Idaho. We’re excited about that,” He said.

A poll found that 68 percent support exploring this idea in the northwestern Oregon.

“Eastern Oregon deserves a chance to present this proposal to Oregon state leaders,” According to a Greater Idaho press release.

The Claremont Institute also found that the merger would end tax subsidies to eastern and southern Oregon by more wealthy western Oregonians.

Idaho’s lower taxes and regulations would make it a better place to live with an infusion of $170million annually in tax revenues.

“Therefore, if eastern Oregonians brought their share of their state government’s assets and debts into Idaho, they would hardly change Idaho’s per-person net assets,” According to Greater Idaho

McCaw stated that all bill supporters want is a fair hearing in Oregon. He called it a ‘fair hearing’. “win-win” For both states.

The Epoch Times reached out several Oregon House Members, but they did not respond by the deadline.

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