A Western Washington man, citing excessive government over-reach and a growing mistrust of political leaders, is proposing to split Washington in half.

His plan differs from some previous efforts, he says, because it actually follows federal guidelines and it would use the initiative process to let people vote on the matter.

Jacob Kukuk of Arlington, WA, says he's looking for five people to run for a five-person State Establishing Board, who would then put together an initiative to be placed before the voters.

Kukuk echoes opinions of numerous other critics who've supported the idea of separate states for Eastern and Western Washington. He says there are people and businesses suffering from taxes and rules imposed by legislators, and recent anti-gun initiatives.

Kukuk is calling his plan the State of Madison Initiative, because James Madison was the founder of the Constitution in the early days of the nation.

In 2005, a group of legislators attempted to pass a bill that would have split the state down the ridge of the Cascade Mountains, but it failed. That year a serious effort was made by several GOP Senators to ask then-President Bush to split our state. Senator Bob Morton's plan would have put 20 counties in Eastern Washington, and the other 19 in the West.

It was largely based on political and societal ideology. It's no secret the East side is largely conservative, while the more heavily populated West side is progressive -- especially Seattle. For decades Seattle and King County often swung elections and initiatives to the dismay of Eastern Washington.

However, Morton's plan, even if approved by the legislature, would have required Congressional approval. That's why Kukuk's plan is different. It's based upon the actual processes necessary to facilitate such a move.

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