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California Wants an Embassy in Washington

A California lawmaker has proposed a bill that would allow the most populous U.S. state to establish an embassy in Washington.

By Michael B. Marois

A California lawmaker has proposed a bill that would allow the most populous U.S. state to establish an embassy in Washington.

The bill, introduced by Assembly Speaker pro Tem Nora Campos, a Democrat from San Jose, would allow California to partner with private nonprofit groups to establish and maintain an embassy within a one-mile radius of the U.S. Capitol. No state money would be spent on the facility.

Some states maintain office space in Washington for official business such as lobbying Congress and dealings with regulatory agencies. Campos' bill would create a privately financed location to showcase the state's economy and serve as a gathering point for tourists and dignitaries visiting Washington.

California wouldn't be the first state to create what it would call an embassy in Washington. Florida has had a similar office in a 124-year-old Victorian home on Capitol Hill since 1973.

California, with an equivalent gross domestic product of $2.2 trillion in 2013, is poised this year to overtake Brazil as the world's seventh largest economy. The state leads in agriculture, technology and manufacturing revenue growth and is home to more companies on the S&P 500 than any other state, data compiled by Bloomberg show.

California maintains a small official office in Washington staffed by officials from Gov. Jerry Brown's administration. A message left with Brown's press secretary for Evan Westrup wasn't immediately returned.

(c)2015 Bloomberg News

Caroline Cournoyer is GOVERNING's senior web editor.
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