Washington's sons and daughters need family mediation. Next week, a state Senate committee will hold a hearing on breaking the state in two.

The squeaky-tight gubernatorial race, its election irregularities and the ensuing not-so-civil discourse underline stark differences in our great state. Residents' disparate ideologies, economic fortunes and social philosophies seem to break down along rural and urban lines. Tuesday, the family will have it out. The Senate Government Operations and Elections Committee will hold a hearing on a bill that would ask Congress to recognize Eastern Washington as the 51st state.

Democratic Gov. Christine Gregoire won eight counties, all in Western Washington, while Republican opponent Dino Rossi won the other 31, including every one that would comprise the state of "Eastern Washington." The western border counties would be Okanogan, Chelan, Kittitas, Yakima and Klickitat. The U.S. Constitution requires the assent of the Legislature of a state from which a new state springs. Thus, Senate Joint Resolution 8009.

"Dead serious" is how co-sponsor Joyce Mulliken, R-Ephrata, describes the effort endorsed by 10 other senators. It doesn't help now that Democrats control both legislative houses and the governor's mansion, they are having a field day proposing tax increases and new burdens for business.

"Our government would have a much more friendly business climate and less regulation," Mulliken says.

Go, girl, says Sen. Adam Kline, the liberal Seattle Democrat to sign on the bill. "Western Washington has quite a bit to gain. We're a net subsidizer of Eastern Washington," especially in transportation dollars.

Kids. Kids. Let's not be rash. Let's talk. The family meeting starts at 10 a.m. Tuesday.

Such a conversation could be good for the soul of Washington state, whose diversity of terrain, resources and industry — from dot-com enterprises to apple orchards — is its strength.

We think Washington should stay together, although its residents and elected leaders could do a much better job of trying to understand each other.

Let's hope Tuesday's hearing resembles a vigorous family discussion, not Divorce Court.