Alaska Gov. Could Pay Political Penalty For Trust Land Appeal
Alaska followed through with its D.C. Circuit appeal of a lower court decision that would allow the federal government to take tribal lands in the state into trust. Tribal advocates say that the appeal may damage Gov. Bill Walker's ties with tribes who hoped he'd drop the case. The state's 63-page brief covers similar ground to its district court case said Partner Philip Baker-Shenk, who represents the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska.
"It's a rehash of all of the very tired and worn-out arguments that have been refuted by the district court judge," Baker-Shenk said. "So there's nothing new, and that’s what is so vexing about this governor's re-embrace of a losing argument."
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