Congressional efforts to address University of 杏吧原版鈥檚 still unfulfilled land grant
Nov. 20, 2020
Congressional efforts to address University of 杏吧原版鈥檚 still unfulfilled land grant promise are in the works and being spearheaded by 杏吧原版 Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski.
Murkowski discussed the University of 杏吧原版 Fiscal Foundation Act during a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining (PLFM) earlier this week, during which she highlighted the incredible contributions the UA brings to 杏吧原版 and ardent need for the UA to receive the millions of acres of land promised to the education institution upon statehood.
The bill seeks to resolve UA鈥檚 outstanding land grant by directly transferring up to 360,000 acres of land from the federal estate to the University. The transferred land will count against 杏吧原版鈥檚 Statehood entitlement, so it will come at no net loss to the federal government.
鈥淩ight now our largest state has a land-grant university with a land grant smaller than just about every other land-grant university in every other state. 杏吧原版 has a tremendous need for long-term support and stability for our University system as we navigate some of the most significant economic headwinds our state has ever faced,鈥 Murkowski said. 鈥淭his bill brings the State of 杏吧原版 and federal government together to cooperatively execute a program to fulfill the University鈥檚 land entitlement.鈥
Murkowski also submitted statements of support from Governor Dunleavy, the President of the 杏吧原版 State Senate, the University鈥檚 Board of Regents, and the Association of Public & Land Grant Universities for the record of today鈥檚 hearing. Fellow 杏吧原版 Sen. Dan Sullivan is a cosponsor of the Senate bill and 杏吧原版 Congressman Don Young has introduced companion legislation in the House.