Not a bad article. But the headline is kind of stupid. Western states can’t “reclaim” land they never had title to. AFAIK, no state ever had federal lands within its boundaries handed over to state title. Texas is sort of an exception, but that’s because its public lands were originally owned by the nation of Texas, not by the federal government.
I have no particular objection to transferring title to states, but I seriously doubt it will be the panacea for rural westerners problems they think.
If only because most western states are heavily dominated by their cities.
NV, for instance, is one of the most urban states in the country, way over 90%. I see no particular reason why a state bureaucracy dominated by urban interests should be greatly more sympatico with rural folks than the feds are.
Nevada is Urbanized because the Federal Government owns 90% of the land in the state. Where in the Constitution does it allow FedGov to own state lands with the exception of forts, magazines, and shipyards?
Yes and this was obviously made far worse by the Warren Court's infamous "Cows Don't Vote" ruling in mid 20th century! It simply ruins the balance struck since the founding of most states with their upper house (senate) representing land area, being forced into the "one person, one vote" pattern of the lower house just screws rural Americans, especially in western states.
In CA's state senate, one Senator represents 13 northern counties, while in LA county they enjoy being "serviced" by 13 Senatorial votes instead!!!
Imagine if the US legislature was changed in this way! Only one US Senator for 13 western states, for example!!!
“AFAIK, no state ever had federal lands within its boundaries handed over to state title. “
ALL states except the first thirteen have had land transferred to them from the federal government.
The Northwest territories for example had to give the federal government a percentage of their land- which was returned. Florida and Missouri were, at one time, 90% owned by the federal government.
These early states got the federal government to release it’s title through legislative measures in congress.
Today’s western states don’t have the clout the early states did- simply because of numbers: they can’t form a majority as easily to pass legislation.