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At this point in history, it seems there's enough monetary investment in most state capitals that I can't see the economic rationale for moving a capital in its entirety, save for some disaster that would make it necessary.
It's been 107 years since a state capital changed locations. I don't see that streak ending any time soon.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Maintainschaos
At this point in history, it seems there's enough monetary investment in most state capitals that I can't see the economic rationale for moving a capital in its entirety, save for some disaster that would make it necessary.
I can see some rationale for places like Chicago and New York becoming the capitals of their respective states because they are the center of their state's populations in their metropolitan areas and much of the states' business is already conducted in those cities with the relevant existing facilities already there. When each state established their capitals, it wasn't at all clear that they would have one city, or metropolitan area at least, grow to nearly monopolize the state's population. When Springfield was chosen as the Illinois capital, Chicago was still a barely inhabited swamp.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bitey
It's been 107 years since a state capital changed locations. I don't see that streak ending any time soon.
I can see some rationale for places like Chicago and New York becoming the capitals of their respective states because they are the center of their state's populations in their metropolitan areas and much of the states' business is already conducted in those cities with the relevant existing facilities already there. When each state established their capitals, it wasn't at all clear that they would have one city, or metropolitan area at least, grow to nearly monopolize the state's population. When Springfield was chosen as the Illinois capital, Chicago was still a barely inhabited swamp.
That's actually a clear argument against them becoming capitals. Only 17 capitals are actually the largest cities in their states--the rest are not. Besides the prohibitive financial cost of relocating a capital, there's the political one. Republicans would never stand for the capital moving to a large, Democratic stronghold, which nearly all of the largest cities in our states are.
That's actually a clear argument against them becoming capitals. Only 17 capitals are actually the largest cities in their states--the rest are not. Besides the prohibitive financial cost of relocating a capital, there's the political one. Republicans would never stand for the capital moving to a large, Democratic stronghold, which nearly all of the largest cities in our states are.
Well if you include capitals that are part of their state's largest metro area (like St. Paul and Nashville) or others that are among the major economic and cultural hubs of their states (Richmond, Raleigh, Baton Rouge, Austin, etc.), that gives you roughly half of all state capitals. But I completely agree with your overall point, especially the political one.
That's actually a clear argument against them becoming capitals. Only 17 capitals are actually the largest cities in their states--the rest are not. Besides the prohibitive financial cost of relocating a capital, there's the political one. Republicans would never stand for the capital moving to a large, Democratic stronghold, which nearly all of the largest cities in our states are.
The particulars of Chicago and New York are not just the fact that they are the largest city in their respective states, but that they, or at least their metro areas, house a huge majority of the state's population. Like I mentioned earlier, a great deal of the state's business is already conducted in those cities -- in fact I wouldn't be surprised of more state employees work in and around CHI and NYC than Springfield and Albany -- along with all the facilities where that work is done that it's almost redundant to have the capital elsewhere.
Meanwhile, I don't think Republicans in either state have enough clout to stop the Democrats from doing much of anything, at least not in the long term.
If any capital city would move it would be Alaska, Juneau isn't even connected by road to the rest of Alaska, or continent for that matter. Plus it come up in the ballot boxes from time to time Capital Move History
However with the internet, the location of a capital city isn't as important as it was 50 years ago, plus it would be a vey costly endeavor to move the capital, and would negatively affect Juneau. The only other instance of seeing a new capitol is if we see new states form, for instance SE Alaska becoming it's own state.
If any capital city would move it would be Alaska, Juneau isn't even connected by road to the rest of Alaska, or continent for that matter. Plus it come up in the ballot boxes from time to time Capital Move History
However with the internet, the location of a capital city isn't as important as it was 50 years ago, plus it would be a vey costly endeavor to move the capital, and would negatively affect Juneau. The only other instance of seeing a new capitol is if we see new states form, for instance SE Alaska becoming it's own state.
^this & this alone
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