Famas said:
It's an amusing proposal to say the least....one state's governor invites the counties of the neighboring states to join them. It's new...and a good way to give the proverbial stick-in-the-eye.....but isn't there a constitutional clause which specifically forbids states or parts of states from secession?
You are conflating two separate issues. The issue of secession from the United States is not the same as the issue of a part of one
existing state splitting off to join another
existing state.
[Edit to add] The Constitution addresses the states in Article 4.
Section 1 says each state shall honor the acts of the other states. (Nothing here about secession or realignment.)
Section 2 says the Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. (Nothing here about secession or realignment.)
Section 3 says
new States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no
new States shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State
be formed by the Junction of two or more States, or parts of States, without the Consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of the Congress. (This section
may apply, although a Philadelphia lawyer might argue that, since no NEW state is being formed, this section would not apply. Even if it does apply, it doesn't prohibit a realignment, it only spell out the hoops to be jumped through.)
Section 4 guarantees each state a republican form of government. (Nothing here about secession or realignment.)
None of the amendments to the Constitution addresses anything relating to the realignment of political subdivisions within a state to another state.
