5 Comments

  • Brian May 5, 2014 at 6:56 pm

    The Federal Government didn’t “grant” us the land in the first place! 100% of the lands belonged to the Utah Territory, which entered into an agreement with the Federal Government, under which the Federal Government took temporary possession of the lands, to dispose of them for the benefit of the state, not to hang onto them forever. Utah’s Enabling Act, the contract under which we became a state, is almost identical to that of North Dakota, and yet North Dakota has only 3.9% federal land and we have 65% federal land. Feel free to write an article on exactly why that is. While you’re at it, write an article about how Utah controlling the rights (including mineral rights) to an additional 61% of its land would be a massive boost to education funding. This may help explain why Utah only has $6,212 per pupil, and North Dakota has $11,420 per pupil. Feel free to ask school districts and teachers for specifics on how that additional $5,208 could benefit our kids.

    • Chris May 10, 2014 at 11:52 am

      You need to actually READ the Utah Enabling Act. Nothing in it states what you say–nothing about “temporary” possession by the federal government and nothing obligating them to sell off the land. In fact, the act specifically says that the new state of Utah “forever” disclaims ownership of all public lands contained within the territory. It is illiterate people like you who are spreading misinformation that is causing incidents like what happened in Bunkerville. Your understanding of the law and of history is quite meager.

    • Chris May 10, 2014 at 11:58 am

      Here’s a challenge for you Brian–cite the actual passages of the Utah Enabling Act, verbatim, that state what you claim. I’ll be waiting.

  • David Dalley May 6, 2014 at 5:49 am

    Or better spent on programs for those who are struggling.

    I agree

  • Combat Vet and Democrat May 10, 2014 at 8:08 am

    I don’t understand how “100% of the lands belonged to the Utah Territory”. Territories were created by the the federal government. All of Utah belonged to the United States prior to being organized as a territory. Prior to that all of Utah belonged to Mexico. It took a very long time for Utah to given the privilege of statehood. It seems clear why.

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