Greater Idaho Movement Seeks Trump’s Help | Oregon/Northwest

Leaders of the effort to move eastern, southern and part of central Oregon to Idaho are formally asking President-elect Donald Trump to support the effort and find a “peaceful solution to Oregon’s long-standing east-west divide.” to bring about.

The Greater Idaho Movement would move the Idaho-Oregon state line to include most of the region east of the Cascades and add it to the Gem State. Bend and Sisters were supposed to stay in Oregon. Leaders are seeking more conservative representation that Idaho would bring.

So far, voters in 13 counties, including Crook and Jefferson, have voted to have their county executives consider such a move or represent their constituents in promoting the move. These counties voted significantly for Trump over Vice President Kamala Harris.

Two counties — Malheur and Baker — had measures on the November ballot to roll back those requirements. Both measures were rejected.

RELATED: Two Oregon counties reject action to roll back Greater Idaho Movement gathering rules

For such a move to take place, it must be approved by both the Oregon and Idaho legislatures and Congress. Oregon’s Democratic-controlled legislature has shown no signs of addressing the issue. Rep. Vikki Breese-Iverson, a Republican from Prineville, has expressed willingness to explore the idea.

“For four years we have been going directly to the people to hear what they want,” Mike McCarter, president of the Greater Idaho Movement, said in a statement Wednesday. “They have made it clear that they want to start border negotiations. We have also reached out to the Oregon Legislature and Governor Kotek but have not received a response. The Oregon state government has been unwilling to listen to Eastern Oregonians, but we believe the president’s will.”

In their letter to Trump, the movement’s leaders asked the president-elect’s administration to meet with them.

“As leaders of the Citizens for Greater Idaho movement, we welcome your new administration’s promise to solve old policy problems with new approaches. Unlike typical politicians, you have a unique ability to get things done as a practical problem solver “And your support can lead to a peaceful resolution of Oregon’s long-standing East-West divide. Helping to achieve this would only cement your legacy as a peacemaker and transformative president,” the letter’s introduction reads.

The full letter to Trump can be found at this link.

Norman Williams, a constitutional law professor at Willamette University, estimates that moving the state line between Idaho and Oregon cost Idaho about $18 billion to $20 billion. Those behind the movement have disputed these figures and claimed that the costs would be negotiated between the two states. They have also suggested that this would be a financial benefit to Oregon since the state subsidizes eastern and southern Oregon.