SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A Republican-sponsored proposal before Congress to mandate the sale of federal public lands is getting a mixed reception from the governors of Western states. Democratic New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham says the approach is problematic in New Mexico because of the close relationship residents have with those public lands. A budget proposal from Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee would mandate the sale of more than 2 million acres of federal lands to state or other entities. It was included recently in a draft provision of the GOP’s sweeping tax cut package. Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon voiced qualified support for plans to tap federal land for development.
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