Naabi is having a very lengthy debate on Legislation 0373-14 An Action Relating to Resources and Development Committee; Budget and Finance Committee; Naa’bik’iyati’ Committee and the Navajo Nation Council; Approving Supplemental Funding from the Unreserved, Undesignated Fund Balance in the Total Amount of $1,559,250, to be Distributed in the Amounts of $877,500 to District Grazing Officials, $483,750 to Farm Boards and $198,000 to the Eastern Navajo Land Board for Operating Expenses and Attending Planning and Regular Chapter Meetings

It is now 7:31 pm and Naabi continues to meet. Navajo Council is having special session tomorrow, Dec. 23, 2014.

Naabi votes on 0373-14, 15 in favor, 0 opposed. 0373-14 heads to Council.

Naabi goes to Legislation No. 0313-14: Relating to Budget and Finance Committee and Naabik’iyati’ and Navajo Nation Council; Amending Budget Resolution CS-46-14 and Approving the Reallocation of $243,728.00 of Fiscal Year 2015 General Funds to the Office of Legislative Services (Business Unit 101019) from General Fund Revenue Account
Sponsors: Honorable Alton Joe Shepherd, Honorable Jonathan L. Hale)

Without debate, NAABI Votes 14 in favor, 0 opposed. 0313-14 heads to Council.

NAABI now on Legislation No. 0346-14: Relating to Naabik’iyati’ Committee and the Navajo Nation Council; Waiving Certain Navajo Election Code Provisions to Allow for a Special Election for the President of the Navajo Nation and Other Elective Offices
(Sponsor: Honorable LoRenzo Bates, Honorable Roscoe Smith)

COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON PRO TEM BATES
this legislatin is result of situation in right now. if reflect back on Legislative Counsel’s comments regarding Supreme Court order and Election Office setting Dec. 23 as special presidential election and that date will come and go. Supreme Court took upon selves to determine date. And Supreme Court waived statute and Council has authority to waive. Election Office reported that early voting and absentee voting needed to occur. And printers of ballot are taking two days off, which means ballots will not be printed in time. when take all of that into consideration, the likelihood of special election happening between now and Dec. 31 is highly unlikely. So this legislation would extend another 60 days and if special presidential election happens before then, then that happens.

COMMITTEE MEMBER/DELEGATE LEONARD TSOSIE
what you said is not in here about Supreme Court lacking authority to waive election statute and that wording should be in here. you should be strong for us. i still believe that Supreme Court created all this mess. Interesting what Election Office Director Wauneka said which is that he filed motion with Supreme Court. What attorney is working for him on that? So we have legislative staff bowing down to Supreme Court and Chief Justice is enjoying that.

Chief Justice says we are a nation of laws as long as I make the laws. What we should say in here is if this does not happen in 60 days then the special election should be cancelled and a new primary election held for president. I’ll come up with something by tomorrow. we need to worry about Navajo people. Navajo people want another election. Nullify primary presidential election.

COMMITTEE MEMBER/DELEGATE RUSSELL BEGAYE
I agree. The Navajo people want to have special presidential election as soon as possible. i’d like to add after 60 days that we waive absentee and early voting so special presidential election on Jan. 30, 2014.

COMMITTEE MEMBER/DELEGATE LEONARD TSOSIE
i don’t agree. Delegate Russell Begaye has a conflict and any candidate should not be allowed to speak.

COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON PRO TEM DANNY SIMPSON CALLS ON CHIEF LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL LEVON HENRY TO DEFINE CONFLICT. HENRY SAYS regarding conflict of interest in ethics laws, if public official would have private economic gain or special business interst then conflict. in this situation, Mr. Begaye and Mr. Jonathan Nez has interest and conflict would occur.

COMMITTEE MEMBER/DELEGATE RUSSELL BEGAYE
i just to say that my support for a special presidential election earlier or later doesn’t benefit me. I was making an amendment in the best interest of people.

DELEGATE LEONARD TSOSIE, POINT OF ORDER
the point is that you ruled and so did your attorney so you can’t allow Committee member/Delegate Russell Begaye to ramble on about conspiracy.

COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON PRO TEM DANNY SIMPSON
this is Naabik’iyati Committee and every delegate has chance.

COMMITTEE MEMBER/DELEGATE ROSCOE SMITH
if we are a nation of laws, what are we waiving? I head that this legislative body should be protected. but how is it that we waive law. let the next council make decision. we are in a lame duck position. there is something being changed and that is the law. why are we changing it if we are a nation of laws. like to hear tomorrow what Council would challenge. Three branch government? I’d like to hear what Delegate Leonard Tsosie proposing. This Supreme Court decision disenfranchised voters.

COMMITTEE MEMBER/DELEGATE LEONARD TSOSIE
Could we get copy of Supreme Court ruling?

COMMITTEE MEMBER/DELEGATE LORENZO CURLEY
here we are talking about re-instating Election Board. Where is that process? I don’t support Supreme Court’s removal of Election Board. I’m not ready to sanction what Supreme Court did by supporting special presidential election. We need to re-empower them.