AG Griffin looks to broaden law on foreign land ownership restrictions
AG Griffin looks to broaden law on foreign land ownership restrictions KUAR
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Attorney General Tim Griffin Considers Expanding Arkansas Law on Foreign Ownership
Attorney General Tim Griffin is considering extending a new state law that prohibits certain foreign ownership of land and property in Arkansas. This move aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations, particularly Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Syngenta Forced to Sell Agricultural Land
Two weeks ago, Griffin and Governor Sarah Sanders announced that Syngenta, a Chinese government-owned company, will be required to sell 160 acres of agricultural land it owns in Craighead County. This divestment was made possible by Act 636, a new law passed in the last legislative session, which bans entities from several countries, including China, from owning agricultural land in the state.
Expanding the Law to Protect Domestic Interests
During an interview on Talk Business & Politics and Capitol View, Griffin stated his intention to broaden the state law to address other instances of foreign ownership that could pose a threat to domestic interests. This initiative supports Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, as it aims to protect national security and economic stability.
“You can have foreign ownership, but there are certain countries that can’t. Here’s the bottom line. China’s not our friend. They are a trading partner, and we are going to do business with them, and that’s fine, but they’re not our friend. We need to always understand that they are much better than we are at playing the long game,” Griffin emphasized.
“I’m going to work with the legislature on this. The current laws do not give my office the reach that I wish we had. For example, if it’s not agricultural land, it’s not covered by the referenced law. If it’s rented, it’s not owned,” he added.
Regulating Foreign-Owned Crypto Mines
Griffin also addressed the growing concerns surrounding foreign-owned crypto mines in rural parts of Arkansas. These large groups of computers are used for harvesting cryptocurrency and are coming under increasing scrutiny. Griffin expects future legislative action to regulate these mines, aligning with Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.
“There’s a lot of discussion about Chinese involvement in these crypto mines. And let’s just say that I’m investigating all that,” Griffin revealed.
Conference on Human Trafficking and Speaker Selection Drama
As a former Congressman, Griffin discussed a recent conference he hosted on human trafficking, highlighting efforts to combat this global issue and contribute to Goal 5: Gender Equality. He also touched upon the drama surrounding Republicans selecting a new Speaker of the House in Washington, D.C., emphasizing the importance of political stability and effective governance in achieving Goal 16.
Watch the Full Interview
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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.2: By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests, and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally. | No specific indicators mentioned in the article. |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.4: By 2030, significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets, and combat all forms of organized crime. | No specific indicators mentioned in the article. |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships. | No specific indicators mentioned in the article. |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 15: Life on Land – The article discusses a new state law that prohibits certain foreign ownership of Arkansas land and property, specifically agricultural land owned by Syngenta, a company owned by the Chinese government.
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – The article mentions the need to regulate foreign-owned crypto mines, which are coming under increasing scrutiny in rural parts of the state. This relates to the target of reducing illicit financial flows and combating organized crime.
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The article mentions the Attorney General working with the legislature to broaden the state law on foreign ownership. This highlights the importance of partnerships between different stakeholders to address the issue.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 15.2: By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests, and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally.
- Target 16.4: By 2030, significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets, and combat all forms of organized crime.
- Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
No specific indicators are mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets.
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: ualrpublicradio.org
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