Splitting Washington State Pt 2

I'm Bob Larson. Splitting the state of Washington in two is an idea that's been kicked around for years. So it came as no surprise to anyone when State Representative Matt Shea introduced a new proposal.

The Spokane Valley Republican says there are many who like to say we are One Washington, but are we really?

Shea says for those who scoff at the notion of a 51st state called Liberty, I say, what are you afraid of? let's talk ...

MATT SHEA ... "Whether they want to have the conversation or not, the folks in Eastern Washington are having the conversation and if we truly want to be one Washington we're going to have to address these issues because otherwise this movement will continue to grow and continue to become more popular and will eventually become a reality if we don't change direction."

Shea says the mostly urban sensibilities of the west side are very different from the largely rural views on east side ...

MATT SHEA ... "Sometimes areas of the country diverge in viewpoints, and that's okay. And sometimes maybe we have to be apart if that's the case and we have such divergent viewpoints and can't reconcile them, and that's okay. That's why our system is still united and this might be one of those moments where we do have to go ahead and split the state and make sure that the viewpoints of a very significant majority from both side are actually heard to the fullest extent possible."

Many don't believe Eastern Washington could survive without the Boeings, Microsofts and Amazons, but looking around at the abundant forests, farms, wheat fields, cattle ranches, orchards, and rivers ... Shea says maybe we're ready to wallow in our poverty.