CUMBERLAND — The process for Allegany, Garrett and Washington counties to leave Maryland and become part of West Virginia would involve more merger than acquisition, Gary Howell said.
Howell, a West Virginia delegate, was the featured speaker at the Allegany County Republican Alliance meeting Thursday.
Roughly 35 people were at the event, held in the Allegany Museum ballroom, to provide information about West Virginia state Sen. Chris Rose’s recent proposal for Allegany, Garrett and Washington counties, plus several areas of Virginia, to join The Mountain State.
“We have not formally done an invitation,” Howell said. “Nothing has passed the Legislature.”
However, meetings have been held, and more are planned, for West Virginia officials to discuss the issue with representatives of western counties in Maryland and Virginia, he said.
Howell said that because the proposal doesn’t involve formation of a new state, he’s unsure whether Congress would need to approve the counties’ move from their respective homes into West Virginia.
“This would be a border adjustment,” he said.
However, the home states have a say, Howell said.
“I don’t see a downside (for) Maryland to do this,” he said. “Your (Western Maryland) Republican delegates would vote to release you.”
In that case, West Virginia could pay Maryland roughly $2 billion, Howell said, adding that some entities such as local colleges might have to be acquired separately.
Depending on how the financials roll, West Virginia could use $3 billion bonded over 30 to 40 years to gain the Maryland territory as well as debt that comes with it, he said.
West Virginia would raise pay for its state and county employees to meet those of transplanted Marylander government workers, Howell said, adding that marriage of the two states could blend the top qualities of each.
“We’d like to look at best practices,” he said, adding that Maryland’s local government powers would be phased into West Virginia over time, perhaps for 10 to 20 years.
“We’re gonna learn from each other.”
Howell said the division between most Western Marylanders and leaders in Annapolis is not about Republicans against Democrats.
“It’s rural versus urban,” he said, equating the split of Allegany, Garrett and Washington counties from Maryland to join West Virginia to a divorce followed by a new marriage.
Overall, Howell said he’s cautiously optimistic the move could happen.
“I think it’s a long shot,” he said, “but I think it’s a possibility.”
Support
Bernie Miltenberger supported the idea for Western Maryland to become part of West Virginia.
“This used to be a great area,” he said. “(Now) our economy is being controlled by a bunch of lunatics in Annapolis (and) we would just like to get the heck out.”
Cumberland Historic Cemetery Organization President Ed Taylor, 62, said he’s a lifelong resident of Allegany County.
“We’re not doing better,” he said, adding that Maryland taxes continue to increase.
“Take a look at the numbers, something’s got to change.”
David Biser said more folks need to know about the proposal and referred them to the Western Maryland Secession page on Facebook.
“We need to keep the momentum going,” he said.
States
Michael Allen Mudge spoke of other areas of the country where secession has been discussed including the Greater Idaho Movement that calls for several Oregon counties to join The Gem State.
Three representatives of League of Women Voters groups in Oregon last year penned a commentary on the subject.
“The movement appears to be a symptom of the divide within our country — not the cause, but a result of people feeling isolated and with polarized views from their neighbors, even if the neighbor happens to be their state,” they wrote for the Oregon Capital Chronicle.
“There may be a tendency to ridicule the proposal as a joke, but the concerns are not a joke.”
The Indiana Capital Chronicle in October reported on a commission formed to consider Indiana’s absorption of possibly dozens of Illinois counties.
“Since 2020, 33 Illinois counties have passed ‘advisory referenda’ to secede — with seven of those votes occurring in the 2024 elections,” the news organization wrote.
Opposition
According to The Baltimore Sun in November, some Maryland GOP officials balked at the proposal to secede to West Virginia.
House Minority Leader Jason Buckel, of Allegany County, said although Western Maryland residents are “frustrated” with their economic conditions and feel alienated by state governance, secession is an “extremely difficult maneuver,” the Sun reported.
“There’s little practical possibility in exploring these rather radical ideas that have been vetted before,” Buckel texted the Sun. “And given all the challenges Maryland and our Western Maryland region have in front of us, I don’t envision expending any precious time or resources on this issue at this time.”
U.S. Rep. Andy Harris, the only Republican in Maryland’s congressional delegation, said due to Gov. Wes Moore’s redistricting push that would eliminate the state’s only Republican congressional district, secession is a reasonable solution, the newspaper reported.
“Let’s be clear: we’re not giving up a single county to West Virginia or anywhere else,” Senate Minority Leader Steve Hershey told the Sun. “Each of Maryland’s counties is essential to who we are as a state. Their communities, histories and unique identities are part of what makes Maryland truly ‘America in miniature.’”