Here at Navajo Council spring session, Monday, April 16, 2018.
Council in heated deliberation over amending agenda, which could involve the removal of legislation that seeks funding for capital improvement projects.
Speaker Bates is sponsoring LEGISLATION 0116-18, which has several of the capital improvement projects that are on the agenda as individual legislation and so there would be duplicate requests.
To resolve the duplicate requests, Council Delegate Dwight Witherspoon asked to remove Legislation, which are Agenda Items A, B, C, D, E, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, T, Q, R, and T.
The other solution being offered is to move Speaker Bates’ Legislation 0116-18 to become Agenda Item A. It is now Agenda Item V.
DELEGATE LEONARD TSOSIE we should not move Legislation 0116-18 from Agenda Item V to Agenda Item A because 0116-18 seeks funding from the Sihasin Fund. NOTE – TSOSIE IS CHAIRMAN OF THE SIHASIN FUND SUBCOMMITTEE
Speaker Bates calls for vote on Amendment to move his legislation, 0116-18, to Agenda Item A. But Delegate Leonard Tsosie says that Council approval requires 2/3 vote or 16 yes votes. Chief Legislative Counsel says no need for 2/3 vote.
COUNCIL VOTES 13-5 ON AMENDMENT 2, WHICH MOVES 0116-18 TO AGENDA ITEM A FROM AGENDA ITEM V.
DELEGATE TSOSIE continues to debate how Amendment 2 voted on by Council. Says Council “just grabbing” Sihasin Fund, which is laziness. We cud have leveraged, stretched money to $300,000 but we choose not to. And now this is first item on agenda and not represent best interest of using Navajo people money. Hope vote down and re-do agenda. During Naabi meeting, suggestions were made on what to tell chapters. And that tells me that we told chapters that Council would be spending Sihasin Fund. Let’s not spend Sihasin Fund. He also says he hopes that the Youth Council urges the Councll not to spend Sihasin Fund. (NOTE – DELEGATE TSOSIE VOTED AGAINST HEARING FROM NAVAJO YOUTH COUNCIL AFTER STATE OF NATION ADDRESS)
DELEGATE DAMON $330m in.Sihasin Fund and $106M identified for chapter projects that would benefit elders, youth, veterans and most needy of our people. Almost $20M ID to match legislation so ask Council to approve amended agenda.
DELEGATE CROTTY we need to amend laws to make it mandatory for Council to hear from Navajo Youth Advisory.
COUNCIL VOTING ON ADOPTING AGENDA WITH TWO AMENDMENTS. IT IS NOW 1:35 PM. VOTE IS 17-2
