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 The plan, which supporters hope to put before voters as a ballot
initiative this November, is backed by Silicon Valley billionaire
Tim Draper, who submitted 1.3 million signatures in favor of his
proposal to Secretary of State Debra Bowen last month.
"At least initially - and perhaps for many decades after their
creation - the six proposed new states would have widely varying
income levels," said the report by Legislative Analyst Mac Taylor.
The wealthiest of the proposed new states would be "Silicon Valley,"
comprised of the affluent, pricey tech hub near San Jose, along with
San Francisco.
 That state would have a per capita income of $63,288, twice that of
the poorest region and a third higher than California's current per
capita income of $46,477. A state of Silicon Valley would bring in
$2,168 per person annually in income taxes, the report showed. The poorest of the new states, to be carved out of the agricultural
Central Valley, would have a per capita income of $35,510 and bring
in $472 in income taxes per resident. Jefferson, to be carved out of
the northernmost California region near the Oregon border and named
after the third U.S. president, would have per capita income of
$36,147, and garner income tax of $463 per person per year.
West California, which includes Los Angeles, would fall in the
middle, with a per capita income of $44,900 and annual per capita
income tax of $1,116.
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Draper, who has funded the campaign, says his plan would create a
more business-friendly environment, solve the state’s water issues
and ease traffic congestion.
But the idea has raised bipartisan hackles across California, and
opponents say it stands little chance of gaining voter approval.
Even if it does, it must still be passed by Congress, which
opponents say is also unlikely.
(Editing by Jonathan Oatis)
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