A recent survey shows that Californians want autonomy—what does this mean?

In this episode, Greg talks with Coyote Marin, co-founder and executive director of the Independent California Institute, a nonprofit think tank focused on educating Californians about their relationship with the federal government. Unlike advocacy groups, Coyote’s organization doesn’t push a single path forward—it lays out facts, options, and tradeoffs so Californians can decide for themselves.

We explore new survey data showing strong support for California gaining special autonomous status within the U.S.—and a surprising amount of openness to peaceful secession. They discuss why autonomy polls higher than full independence, what it means to be a “donor state,” and how Californians might rethink the federal government as a costly (and morally compromised) middleman between taxpayers and the services they depend on.

This is a conversation about sovereignty, pragmatism, and possibility—not about destroying America, but about building a California that works better for Californians.

Highlights:

• The difference between autonomy and independence
• How California compares as a “donor state”
• Why opinions on independence are stable—but hardening
• The federal government as a “money laundering machine” for state tax dollars
• The hidden history of U.S. secessions, from 1776 to the Philippines

About Our Guest
Coyote Marin is the executive director of the Independent California Institute, a nonprofit think tank founded in 2018 to study California independence and autonomy. A longtime Green Party activist and policy thinker, Marin has led research on California’s donor-state status, run statewide surveys on attitudes toward autonomy, and advocates for thoughtful, fact-based dialogue about the state’s future.

Resources:

• Independent California Institute “Video: Coyote Marin presents results of our June 2025 poll”
• ICI Essay, “What It Means to Be a Donor State”
• LA Times, Aug 22: “Love it or hate it? Polls show how Californians feels about Newsom’s redistricting fight with Trump?”

Related Episodes:

• Ep 23: Refresh the American Brand, West Coast First? With Michael Megalli
• Ep 08: Leave America and Discover Ecotopia? (Greg Amrofell)
• Ep 09: Will California Bring the Unsexy Back? With Dan Walters
• Ep 04: Is California Ready for Independence? With Marcus Ruiz Evans
• Ep 01: Reclaiming Democracy: The Case for West Coast Independence (Greg Amrofell)
  
  

Join the conversation: What would you choose—greater autonomy for California, or full independence? Share your take wherever you follow or send me your thoughts, questions, comments and constructive suggestions to [email protected].

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