It has been nearly 60 years since the United States last acquired a state. Back when Hawaii became the 50th state in 1959, Fidel Castro was the President of Cuba, the United States was ensnared in the Cold War with Russia and a gallon of gas cost only a quarter. Presently, however, this 59 year drought without a new state may be jeopardized, because on January 18, New California declared independence from the state of California. Although only an early step towards true secession, the written Declaration of Independence expresses that the new state is authentically attempting to at least become independent of California.

According to USA Today, the Declaration of New California deemed the state of California ungovernable due to the widespread corruption throughout the state, particularly in the highly urbanized areas on the coast. The majority of the state seceded to form New California, which comprises the Eastern part of California, which is mainly rural, and all of Northern California above San Francisco. According to Fox News, widespread over-taxation formed a primary urge to leave the state.

“If they are to add New California into the United States, then a 52nd state will have to be added as well,” said junior Michael Ruben. “Although Puerto Rico is the most viable option, in their current situation, it does not seem like a sage decision at this time.”

“They have to go to Congress, and this makes it difficult because they need to rally enough people for their cause,” said social studies teacher Mr. Cory Jensen. “Most densely populated areas are separated from the least populated ones, and overall it is a bad economic position.”

In conclusion, the likelihood that this referendum has any effect on California is slim, as the majority of political clout and economic strength comes from the region New California is trying to break away from. Even if New California succeeds, its situation still looks bleak, for they have no major economy to keep the state from plunging into debt and falling back to California. With a long road ahead, New California has many obstacles to overcome before becoming a new state.