Should Washington state split into two states?

[grega94]

Originally Posted by pnwguy2

I agree. There seems to be some inequity with these highway projects. I'm sure Olympia could argue it is based on a mathematical formula that breaks down tax revenue. Blah, blah, blah.

A N/S Spokane freeway is almost useless without a major intersection with I-90. I understand that is expensive, but it needs to be built, and not in 2029.

Here is a map showing all the major projects in WA
ArcGIS Web Application

To be fair the major reason why Seattle gets so many projects is because of how fast it is growing, even the Tri-cities has more projects in play than Spokane because Spokane is growing so slow comparatively speaking.

[509]

Originally Posted by grega94

Here is a map showing all the major projects in WA
ArcGIS Web Application

To be fair the major reason why Seattle gets so many projects is because of how fast it is growing, even the Tri-cities has more projects in play than Spokane because Spokane is growing so slow comparatively speaking.

Spokane is part of the Spokane/CDA metro area. Spokane is growing, but the real growth in population is just across the border in Idaho. Coeur d'Alene is one of the fastest growing areas in the US. AND all those folks from CDA drive into Spokane.....trust me, I lived in CDA.

Spokane is the metro area, CDA is the suburb.

It is the reverse of Clark County, where Vancouver is the suburb and Portland is the metro area.

thanks for the ArcInfo link...I it clearly shows why the transportation tax dollars flow east to west.

[pnwguy2]

Just to be clear, the Spokane MSA does not include Coeur d'Alene. Coeur d'Alene is part of the Spokane CSA however.

[509]

I think they are going to be or are now one and the same.

CDA did not want to be included in the MSA for Spokane. The US Census let is slide for a couple of years, but that is over now or will be soon.

It doesn't matter CDA is part of the Spokane Metro Area and has been since 1975.

[pnwguy2]

Originally Posted by 509

I think they are going to be or are now one and the same.

CDA did not want to be included in the MSA for Spokane. The US Census let is slide for a couple of years, but that is over now or will be soon.

It doesn't matter CDA is part of the Spokane Metro Area and has been since 1975.

By what standard? Please provide actual proof that CDA is part of the Spokane Metro Area, because it currently is not. Nor has it been "since 1975". Again, it is, but only in the "Combined Metro Statistical Area", or CMSA.

[509]

Census Bureau adding CdA to Spokane metro area | The Spokesman-Review

The only reason CDA is not part of the metro area is POLITICS.

BTW...since 1970 the growth in the Spokane/CDA statistical area has doubled....exactly the same as in the Seattle metro area.

[pnwguy2]

Originally Posted by 509

Census Bureau adding CdA to Spokane metro area | The Spokesman-Review

The only reason CDA is not part of the metro area is POLITICS.

BTW...since 1970 the growth in the Spokane/CDA statistical area has doubled....exactly the same as in the Seattle metro area.

Again, define your terms. Your link defines a new CMSA, much different than an MSA. Spokane's MSA is just Spokane County, Stevens County, and Pend Orielle County.

If you want bring to bring in the Seattle metro area, then here are the differences:

Seattle MSA: 3.87 million
Seattle CMSA: 4.8 million

[Jiff]

If the state was to split, in no time, there'd be an income tax in Western WA, along with other taxes and progressive government mandates. I'm thankful for the representatives from east of the mountains.

[pnwguy2]

Originally Posted by Jiff

If the state was to split, in no time, there'd be an income tax in Western WA, along with other taxes and progressive government mandates. I'm thankful for the representatives from east of the mountains.

Me too. I think Eastern WA offers atleast some balance when it comes to this issue. I am totally against a state income tax, mainly because the state sales tax is already too high. The WA state economy can somewhat thank the lack of a state income tax to its success.

That said, the split is unlikely to happen anytime soon. First, as I have posted before, both sides of the State need each other, like it or not. Further, the US congress would have to approve such a split, and likely would never even consider it.