Combining States to Save Money
State Boundaries are Historical as well as Detrimental
During a time of political and economic pragmatism, it might be opportune – and cost effective, to realign some of the nation’s borders. By this is meant the consolidation of some states into new entities for the purpose of saving taxpayer dollars and more efficiently handle state budgets.
North and South Carolina
In 1729, Great Britain broke Carolina Colony into two separate regions, North and South Carolina. This has never been questioned in the history of the United States and both regions established vastly different identities politically, commercially, and socially.
Current economic realities, however, should consider the benefits of a united State of Carolina with one governor, one Council of State, and streamlined departments able to serve both regions. In the long run, this would save taxpayers money. Currently, South Carolina has a projected shortfall of revenue totaling $430 million for fiscal year 2009.
In North Carolina, Governor Beverly Perdue has balanced the budget, per state constitutional mandate, but on the backs of state employees, notably teachers. Her advice to educators was to “suck it up.”
Uniting both states would free revenue and allow a totally new state government, including a new legislature, to reform from the bottom up the process of representation. In short, the writing of a new state constitution by a convention made up of North and South Carolina delegates not already associated with elected office.
This process could also result in constitutional provisions allowing for a recall and a referendum (or proposition) proposed by the citizens of the state, something sorely lacking under current states’ systems.
Current Congressional districts would not be affected although a newly formed State of Carolina could streamline services by creating only 100 counties in the new state. United States Senators would continue to serve until their current terms expire. Following this, only two Senators would be elected.
A Model for the Nation
The unification of North and South Carolina could become a model for other areas of the United States such as New England and the Dakotas. Additionally, West Virginia, whose existence is directly related to the Civil War, could be reunited with Virginia.
These proposals threaten the sanctity of history and social identity, but in a new century facing unprecedented challenges, the consolidation of states should be a viable debate. Unlike Europe, there is no nationalism associated with individual states. Since the end of the Civil War, federalism has triumphed and centralization binds every state under the same umbrella, whether Homeland Security, Interior, or Labor Departments, et al.
State borders are welcome signs and tourist offices. Redefining those borders can save money as well as provide a process through state constitutional rewriting to provide citizens with a broader voice in the political process.
NC Governor Bev Perdue
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