CAN YOU LEGALLY MOVE A STATE’S BORDER?
These Oregon Counties Hope So
rather than leave their homes and livelihoods behind for a government that better represents their values, they’ve decided they want to bring Idaho’s values and government to them. While the social and political dimensions of this movement are fascinating, the more pragmatic question of whether moving a state border is possible at all is an essential element to explore. What do legal experts say about the possibility of moving Oregon’s state border? Well, proponents of the move shouldn’t hold their breath. While some counties have “voted” to leave Oregon, those votes don’t hold any legal power. They’re more like a poll, gauging interest in an idea before further action is taken. To make Greater Idaho a reality, however, both state legislatures and the United States Congress will have to approve the move. Idaho’s state border is enshrined in its constitution, which means that in order for the borders to change, so would the state’s founding document. It’s a tall bar to clear, but state borders have moved before. In 1998, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that much of Ellis Island actually belonged to New Jersey rather than New York. The mere legal possibility, plus the affirmation of some representatives in the Idaho state government, including Governor Brad Little, is enough for Greater Idaho to continue hoping that they’ll have a say in the kind of government they want to have.
Earlier this year, several counties in Eastern Oregon voted to break away from the Beaver State and join their next-door neighbor, Idaho.
Led by a grassroots organization called Citizens for Greater Idaho (or Greater Idaho, for short), this push to move the Oregon-Idaho border further west was fueled by an urban/rural and liberal/conservative divide within the state. In short, rural Oregonians, who are mostly conservative, don’t feel like their state government, which leans liberal, represents their interests. However, Have a
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Turkey Spaghetti
Ingredients
• 1 cup large mushrooms, chopped • 1/2 stick butter • 4 cups leftover turkey, chopped • 1 can cream of mushroom soup • 1 cup stewed tomatoes • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 16 oz spaghetti noodles • Chicken broth (to cook spaghetti noodles) • 1 onion, chopped • 1/2 cup celery, chopped • 1/2 cup green pepper, chopped
Directions
1. Cook spaghetti in chicken broth according to package directions. 2. Sauté onion, celery, green pepper, and mushrooms in butter until soft. 3. In a large pot, combine cooked spaghetti, sautéed vegetables, and browned turkey. Add soup and tomatoes. 4. Mix well, pour into a well-greased casserole dish, and top with cheese. Preheat oven to 350 F and bake for 30–40 minutes.
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