San Bernardino County Study Suggests Staying with California is Preferable

A recent study commissioned by San Bernardino County has concluded that secession from California may not be in the county's best interest. The report, released by Blue Sky Consulting Group, highlights potential economic and fiscal repercussions that could arise from such a move. Voters had previously approved the study through Measure EE, which allowed for an examination of the implications of leaving the state. The findings indicate that San Bernardino County currently benefits from higher per capita funding compared to other counties in California. Over the past three fiscal years, the county has received 9% more state funding per person, amounting to $829, compared to the state average of $763. This contradicts earlier claims made by county officials, who cited state controller data ranking them 36th out of 56 counties for state and federal funding. While the study acknowledges that San Bernardino faces challenges in areas like homelessness and affordable housing—receiving only 1.1% of its allocated funding for these issues—it also reveals that the county's funding for roadway maintenance exceeds the state average. The report suggests that if the county were to pursue secession, it would require approval from both the state legislature and Congress, complicating the process further. In summary, the study presents a strong case for San Bernardino County to reconsider its aspirations for secession, emphasizing the financial benefits of remaining part of California.