Navajo Council’s Naabik’iyati Committee is now on Legislation 0069-15: An Act relating to Law and Order, Naabik’íyáti’ and Navajo Nation Council; Supporting Arizona H.B. 2185, “An Acting Making An Appropriation To The Department of Economic Security” Sponsor: Hon. Otto Tso Co-Sponsors: Hon. Kee Allen Begay, Hon. Jonathan Perry, Hon. Raymond Smith, Jr.
0069-15 is for funding for a new and shovel ready Navajo Nation Supreme Court building. I can hear murmurs of disapproval coming from some people in the gallery of the council chambers. The people are members of the Voters Rights Coalition AKA disenfranchised voters for disqualified presidential candidate Chris Deschene. A group
Before presenting Legislation 0069-15, the sponsor of 0069-15, Council Delegate Otto Tso, introduces former Navajo Nation Chairman Peter MacDonald Sr. and former Navajo Council Delegate Hope MacDonald-Lonetree.
Tso notes that the Council’s Law and Order Committee supports 0069-15. He adds that the services to the Navajo people flow through the Executive Branch and Judicial Branch and that those services are funded by the Council and so if the Council fails to provide sufficient funding for the Executive Branch and Judicial Branch then the Council is failing the people.
NAVAJO NATION SUPREME COURT ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT KAREN FRANCIS
We are seeking funds for new Supreme Court, which would also house administrative offices, the Peacemaking program, parole services. The initial construction estimate was $15 million and that has increased because of rising costs. And there needs to one amendment to 0069-15. the Bill number should be 2158, instead of 2185.
DELEGATE LEONARD TSOSIE
Speaking entirely in Navajo, Tsosie addresses Ms. Francis. At time, Tsosie mocks Francis for not speaking Navajo language and the Navajo Supreme Court for their decisions regarding disqualified presidential candidate Chris Deschene and the Navajo Election Board, which draws laughter from some of the people in the gallery. Tsosie continues his verbal attack on the Navajo Supreme Court throughout the debate on Legislation 0063-15.
DELEGATE JONATHAN NEZ
We just got information that Arizona State Budget from Gov. approved by Senate and House. In asking for money from state legislature, is there money? I support this but because of process, it took this long. Even hearing of bills has come and gone. But Karen Francis did a great job of providing this information. This was a great opportunity. Sen. C. Begay really brought some bacon home and if we acted earlier then perhaps
There is $100 million in cuts to Arizona State universities so tuitions will go up for kids. also in community colleges. say added funds for Headstart but doesn’t really make a difference.
Four years ago, Gov. Brewer went to bat for us for ACCESS, Medicaid. Now this current governor will not help us and he said that in his state of the nation address. I challenge our staff to do budget analysis of Arizona State Budget to find out how impact Navajo.
VOTE ON 0063-15, 15 IN FAVOR, 1 OPPOSED. THE SOLE OPPOSITION IS DELEGATE LEONARD TSOSIE
