Greetings Relatives/Frens/Humans, I’m posting the proposed 2024 Navajo Nation Government Operating Budget, which was electronically posted on 8.25.23. The Navajo Nation Council Nabik’iyati Committee is meeting today, 9.5.23, on the Proposed 2024 Navajo Govt Operating Budget. The Navajo Council is scheduled to meet on the proposed 2024 Navajo Budget from 9/6-8/23.
12:26 pm, 9.5.23
The Navajo Council’s Naabik’iyati Committee is Debating the proposed 2024 Navajo Government Operating Budget for the Navajo Nation’s three branches – Executive, Legislative & Judicial Branches. Naabi is discussing why the Navajo Council’s Budget & Finance Committee bailed out the Navajo Nation Western Agency Veterans Organization with $43,000.
According to BFC Chairwoman Shaandiin Parrish, the Navajo Nation Veterans Advisory Council unanimously voted to recommend to Navajo VA Director Bobbie Baldwin that the $43,000 that the Navajo Nation Western Veterans Agency OVERSPENT be Covered by funds for the proposed 2024 Navajo Government Operating Budget.
2:23 pm, 9.5.23
Navajo Council Delegate Eugenia Charles-Newton asked if anyone has read a Navajo Law that allows an additional $30,000 for the Speaker’s Salary, which is on top of Speaker’s $25,000 annual Salary as a Council Delegate. The speaker also receives financial compensation for chapter/council/committee meetings.
Charles-Newton informed Speaker Curley, And you have Free housing, vehicle, wifi, etc. You’re making more than President Nygren. Legislative Staff are concerned that you have 7 Legislative Staff Assistants, 1 Chief of Staff. What do they do? Are they working for you or for Council. You work for Council. I want to know what your Legislative Staff Assistants are doing? With 24th Council, we knew what Staff were assigned to. I hope you are being fair. Some staff have been working for a long time & need to be paid appropriately. When we went to Federal Tribal Budget Meeting, the Navajo DC Office helped us. And I see one of your finance employee working weekends & I hope you can give her a rise. I’d like to see your justification for 7 legislative staff because I’d like to move their Salary to line budget item for Bonuses for Legislative Staff who were here during COVID.
I see $1M increase for Office of the Chief Legislative Counsel. For the people listening & watching, this is the First Time that the Navajo Council has seen the Proposed 2024 Navajo Nation Budget.
And I think I found Funding for the $3 Million Shortfall in the Navajo Nation School Clothing Program.
2:40 pm, 9.5.23 Speaker Curley responds to questions from Delegate Eugenia Charles-Newton: Navajo law allows for a increased Speaker’s salary.
Compare staff in Office of President & Vice President with Speaker’s Office, and Speaker has way less staff. Speaker’s Staff assisted with Development & Passage of First Plan of Operation for Speaker’s Office.
Increase in Chief Legislative Counsel budget is for additional attorneys to assist Delegates with legislation.
2:45 pm, 9.5.23 Navajo Council Delegate Shawna Ann Claw had the Following Questions and identified the Budget Item:
Number 33, $500,000 for Northern Agency Outdoor Markets. Why is only Northern Agency listed? Where are locations of markets?
#64 – $172,000+ for Dine’ Education to develop Curriculum/Textbook on Navajo Govt, which should be work of Navajo Govt Development Office. Move the $172,500 to #30 Tuba City Office of the Dine’ Youth where I am working to establish a Youth Complex for Tuba City & Western Agency. The Tuba City ODY is working with Tuba City Chapter to withdraw land & start assessments.
#63 – Asking for $150,000 plus for Solid Waste Dept. Resources & Development Committee recommended the creation of a new Division under the Department of Energy with own engineers, staffing. We know there is a Vetting Team for Energy Development that includes the Legislative Branch, the Resources & Development committee, the Navajo Dept of Justice, the Navajo Office of the President & Vice President, the Navajo Minerals Dept. We are looking for support to start this new Energy Division & for funding from the Navajo Permanent Trust Fund.
Question on Exhibit H1, #14, $3,145,000+ Special Diabetes Project. If in millions then asking for facilities. Clarification.
Exhibit H1, question on #8, $416,285 for Disaster Assistanc. How is that Funding different from Dept of Emergency Management and FEMA reimbursements.
I am in Support of Moving Funding recommended by Delegate Eugenia Charles Newton to School Clothing.
3:07 pm, 9.5.23 Navajo Council Delegate Germaine Simonson makes Amendment 3 to recommend that the $75,000 taken from Office of the First Lady to Office of Miss Navajo be reallocated to the Dine’ Youth Advisory Council. We need to expose youth to opportunities so they can help us at chapter level. At Navajo Prep, there was a group that hosted youth conference. We sent our youth from our community and they learned a lot.
I support financial support for Outdoor Markets. Our small business entrepreneurs are selling good food & products, but they are financially unable to lease business space. I appreciate support for Outdoor Markets. Pinon waiting for Outdoor Market, but in the meantime they have flea market where they sell produce, etc.
$3 Million for Special Diabetes Program – Where is it going?
3:23 pm, 9.5.23 Navajo Council Delegate Eugenia Charles Newton opposes the Reallocation of $75,000 to the Navajo Nation Youth Advisory Council because they have not been spending their budget.
BUT, Navajo Council Delegate ECN left out that NO ONE has been HELPING the Navajo Nation Youth Advisory Council!!!! NO ONE has been Helping to recruit Dine’ Youth to the Youth Advisory Council. How will the Navajo Nation EVER GET OUT of their Status Quo Rut without FULLY WELCOMING our Dine’ Youth!!!!
3:30 pm, 9.5.23, Navajo Council Delegate Germaine Simonson stands her ground to Keep her Amendment 3 even though Navajo Council Delegate Andy Nez asked her to withdraw her Amendment 3. Simonson emphasizes that it is Unfair to claim that the Dine’ Youth Advisory Council is not spending its budget and the Miss Navajo Office is spending their budget and their own money. Simonson says the Miss Navajo Office has a director and staff but the Dine’ Youth Advisory Council has NONE.
Delegate Shawna Ann Claw says she also supports Amendment 3. The Miss Navajo Office has been in existence for years. This Dine’ Youth Advisory Council has potential. The youth that were with Dine’ Youth Council have excelled. Why not give our Dine’ Youth Advisory Council a Chance? Let’s give them a year. I have several Youth in Chinle who are very vocal. They sponsored past Presidential Forums and have excellent questions. We have helped Office of Miss Navajo and now we need to Support our Youth with Staff that can Create a Budget & Spend for Travel, Meeting Expenses, Attending Navajo Council, Making Recommendations to the Navajo Council. Each Navajo Council Delegate has a Youth in their Family. What would they want? They would want your Support.
3:56 pm, 9.5.23, Navajo Council Delegate Rickie Nez says he opposes Amendment 3 because he supports the Office of Miss Navajo. I went without LDA for years with 6 chapters and would be willing to offer the Salary of my LDA/Legislative District Assistant position if Navajo Council Delegate Germaine Simonson throws in the salary of her LDA/Legisalative District Assistant. Nez says that Miss Navajo is an excellent example of Dine’ youth.
Navajo Council Delegate Eugenia Charles Newton continues to Justify why she opposes Amendment 3 with the Same Reasons she gave before – Dine’ Youth Advisory Council not spending its budget. Unfilled Dine’ Youth Advisory Council positions. Miss Navajos spend their own money as Miss Navajo.
Navajo Council Delegate Vince James also Opposes allocating $75,000 from Office of Miss Navajo to the Dine’ Youth Advisory Council. James says that the Dine’ Youth Advisory Council is under President Nygren and so the Navajo Council does not know how Nygren will spend the $75,000 for the Dine’ Youth Advisory Council.
Navajo Council Delegate Vince James also Opposes allocating $75,000 from Office of Miss Navajo to the Dine’ Youth Advisory Council. James says that the Dine’ Youth Advisory Council is under President Nygren and so the Navajo Council does not know how Nygren will spend the $75,000 for the Dine’ Youth Advisory Council.
9.5.23, Navajo Council Delegate Eugenia Charles Newton tells Council that no other Delegate should benefit from her work to identify $75,000 from the Office of the First Lady for the Office of Miss Navajo.
Delegate Germaine Simonson recommended that the $75,000 go to the Dine’ Youth Advisory Council instead of Miss Navajo Office.
Navajo Council Delegate ECN also said that she will make an amendment to take the Salary of her Legislative District Assistant and put in the budget of the Dine’ Youth Advisory Council. Delegate ECN also challenges the other Delegates who are supporting the $75,000 for Dine’ Youth Advisory Council to also take the Salaries of their LDAs/Legislative District Assistants and put those salaries in the budget of the Dine’ Youth Advisory Council. She also adds that she supports Delegate Rickie Nez’s recommendation for those Delegates to walk their talk by using the salaries of their LDAs to fund the Dine’ Youth Advisory Council.
4:47 pm, 9.5.23, The Navajo Council Naabik’iyati Committee is No Longer Broadcasting on YouTube…
4:49 pm, 9.5.23, Naabi back on YouTube
4:46 pm, 9.5.23, President Buu Nygren’s staff assistant Arbin Mitchell reports to Naabik’iyati Committee that their plan of operation went through 164 process before incoming Nygren-Montoya Administration. Mitchell says there was a call to fill Dine’ Youth Advisory Council positions and there was no response. But he says they will continue to call for youth to serve on the President’s Dine’ Youth Advisory Council.
4:52 pm, 9.5.23, the Naabik’iyati is taking a short break to make changes to Amendment 3 but YouTube is still broadcasting meeting. I’m watching Delegates Rickie Nez & George Tolth gather around where Delegates Eugenia Charles Newton & Vince James sit on the Navajo Council floor. Yup, they all support each other. Keep track of how they vote together & say the same stuff in their debate on the council floor.
Amendment 3, which Delegate Germaine Simonson is sponsoring, is asking for $75,000 for the Dine’ Youth Advisory Council, which is under the Office of the President & Vice President. And of course, President Nygren & Some Council Delegates don’t support Empowering our Youth. I hear from OPVP assistant Arbn Mitchell that they support the $75,000 for Miss Navajo, who is also in the OPVP. I support Miss Navajo but in my more than 30 years as an investigative reporter, I have not SEEN actual SUPPORT from the Navajo Council, Office of President & Vice President to HEAR from our Dine’ Youth. And when our Dine’ Youth SPEAK their voice are Strong & Filled with Truth. And I have experiences First Hand how our Navajo Govt CANNOT HANDLE the TRUTH. Former Chairman Peter MacDonald, who represents the Navajo Code Talkers who FOUGHT for our Freedom of Speech & Right to Know what our Navajo Govt is Doing in our Name and with our Money, in our Navajo Female Hogan/Navajo Council, TOOK APART the First Dine’ Youth Advisory Council after they provided Recommendations to Improve his administration at a PRESS CONFERENCE that they called in our Female Hogan/Navajo Council.
5:19 pm, 9.5.23, Navajo Council Naabik’iyati Committee reconvening. Out of recess at 5:22 pm
5:40 pm, 9.5.23, Health, Education & Human Services Committee Chairman Vince James says that Legislation 0214-23, proposed 2024 Navajo govt operating budget, is out of order because it contains inaccurate budgets.
But Navajo Office of Management & Budget says that the proposed budgets in Legislation 0214-23 are accurate. All the amendments today do not affect Personnel Lapse Fund. But if today’s amendments are not passed by Naabi, the amendments will not move to the Navajo Council.
OMB director Dominic Beyal says Legislation 0214-23, which was dropped 8.30.23, which is what it says. Let me start over, 0214-23, was dropped 8.25.23 and it has not changed since it was dropped. When you look at page 4 & onto exhibit G1, it is the same when it was dropped. But on 8.31.23, the Budget & Finance Committee returned to 0214-23 & made changes. What it doesn’t show are the Business Units and more thorough explanation of what used for which it did in prior years. In working with BFC chairwoman Parrish, what you have in front of you is what the amendments will change in 0214-23. Look at the back of 0214-23 and there is BFC report, which shows all amendments made, about 17 in the first group. In amendment 2, there are more amendments. And because 0214-23 not updates, you will see a different base because BFC amended after 0214-23 was dropped on 8.25.23. That is the explanation. In prior years, these new documents don’t require an amendment. BFC report refers to OMB & legislative staff that they would prepare budgets in correct format. G1 before you. H1 needs to be handed out because you don’t have. H1 in current legislation lists 1 to 17, which talks about programs but without descriptions of what funds are to be used for. This proposed 2024 Budget Book was completed at 10:30 pm last night. And its hard to put 2024 Budget Book together without budgets.
5:56 pm, 9.5.23, Resources & Development Committee vice chairman Casey Allen Johnson attempts to make Amendment 4 while Naabik’iyati is still debating Amendment 3. Speaker Curley informs Delegate Johnson that he cannot make an Amendment until after Naabi votes on Amendment 3.
Delegate Amber K. Crotty says she is concerned about Amendment 3 because it decreases personnel. If we are concerned about our youth, then we need to offer adequate salary. Health, Education & Human Services Committee is suppose to get quarterly reports from Dine Youth Council but they havaen’t.
When Dine’ Youth Council created, President Begaye pulled money from Office of Dine’ Youth. And so Navajo Council needs to hold Office of the President & Vice President accountable going forward. Council needs to invite Youth Council & request Quarterly Reports. I support Youth Council but proposed amendment would tie up about $40,000 and not provide Support to Dine’ Youth Council. So how are we fixing issue, other than leaving money on the table.
6 pm, 9.5.23, Navajo Council Delegate Carl Slater says that after Amendment 3 was updated, he cannot Second Delegate Germaine Simonson’s Amendment 3. Delegate Shawna A. Claw Seconds Simonson’s Amendment 3 and so Amendment 3 stays alive.
6:17 pm, 9.5.23, Navajo Council Delegate Otto Tso calls for TABLING Legislation 0214-23 because Naabi can’t get past Amendment 3. He wants to Table 0214-23 until 8 am tomorrow.
6:22 pm, 9.5.23, Delegate Otto Tso withdraws his Tabling motion after it is explained to hm that he cannot Table the proposed 2024 Budget Legislation because of 2024 Budget Timelines.
Delegate Germaine Simonson says she is withdrawing her Amendment 3 to work on the proper language and budget tonight. Simonson says she will return with her amendment tomorrow, 9.6.23. The Navajo Council is scheduled to convene their annual Budget Session tomorrow, 9.6.23. The Council is scheduled to meet from 9.6.23 to 9.8.23
6:55 pm, 9.5.23, Law & Order Committee chairwoman Eugenia Charles Newton motions to move $3 million from Housing Trust Fund into Navajo Division of Social Services School Clothing Program. Charles Newton reports that 15,000 students asked for School clothing assistance but only 5,000 were helped. Delegate Brenda Jesus seconds Charles Newton motion.
7:08 pm, 9.4.23, Naabik’iyati Committee voting on Legislation 0214-23. Legislative staff readi all Amendments that Naabi made to budget legislation, 0214-23. Naabi votes on 0214-23. Navajo Council starts their three day 2024 Budget Session tomorrow, 9.6.23. The Council is scheduled to meet on the proposed 2024 Budget from 9.6.23 to 9.8.23. The Council votes 18 in favor, zero opposed on 0214-23. Naabi is now voting on Adjourning their 2024 Budget Session. Naabi adjourns at 7:14 pm, 9.5.23
Amber Kanazbah Crotty, August 18, 2017, SHOCKED: The Health, Education and Human Service Committee is conducting budget hearings this week. Today, I discovered the Navajo Nation is budgeting $1,414,160 for monthly lease of two jets! I requested from the Auditor General an audit of the Navajo Air Transportation program.
Yesterday the Committee discovered that Navajo Area Agency on Aging will be the only Navajo Department of Health program to receive a reduction. The NAAA is facing $666,588 reduction.
The Navajo Food Distribution program federal cash match will only be funded at 50 percent with a reduction of $547,564 until other Navajo Nation funds are identified.
This is unacceptable!
Today the Committee is hearing the Navajo General Services budget presentation—there is a desperate need for new transit buses at $1.2 million.
Contact your Delegate and ask them to support our elders and vulnerable community members. We do not have extra funding to be leasing luxury jets!
APPROVED NAABIK’ÍYÁTI’ COMMITTEE SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA (9/05/2023) NAABIK’ÍYÁTI’ COMMITTEE OF THE 25th NAVAJO NATION COUNCIL COMPREHENSIVE BUDGET SPECIAL MEETING
Call-in Number: (669) 900-6833
Meeting ID: 928 871 7160
Passcode: 86515
Window Rock, Navajo Nation (AZ)
Tuesday, September 5, 2023 – 9:00 AM
APPROVED AGENDA
PRESIDING CHAIR: Honorable Crystalyne Curley, Speaker, 25th Navajo Nation Council Hon. Crystalyne Curley, Speaker
BUDGET & FINANCE COMMITTEE
HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND HUMAN SERVICES COMM.
RESOURCES & DEVELOPMENT COMM.
LAW & ORDER COMMITTEE
Hon. Shaandiin Parrish (c) Hon. Vince R. James (c) Hon. Brenda Jesus (c) Hon. Eugenia Charles-Newton (c) Hon. Carl R. Slater (vc) Hon. Germaine Simonson (vc) Hon. Casey A. Johnson (vc) Hon. Cherilyn Yazzie (vc) Hon. Lomardo Aseret Hon. Helena Nez Begay Hon. Shawna A. Claw Hon. Steven R. Arviso Hon. Norman M. Begay Hon. Dr. Andy Nez Hon. Rickie Nez Hon. Herman M. Daniels Hon. Amber Kanazbah Crotty Hon. George H. Tolth Hon. Danny Simpson Hon. Nathan Notah Hon. Seth Damon Hon. Curtis Yanito Hon. Otto Tso (C) Chair & (VC) Vice-Chair
- CALL MEETING TO ORDER; ROLL CALL; INVOCATION
- RECOGNIZE GUESTS AND VISITING OFFICIALS (2 Minute Limit per Delegate)
- REVIEW AND ADOPT THE AGENDA
(m) Hon. N. Notah (s) Hon. B. Jesus (v) 14-0 - REVIEW AND ADOPT THE JOURNALS: NONE
- RECEIVE REPORTS: NONE
- OLD BUSINESS: NONE
- NEW BUSINESS:
A. LEGISLATION 0214-23: An Act Relating to the Budget and Finance Committee, the Naabik’íyáti’ Committee and the Navajo Nation Council; Approving the Navajo Nation’s Comprehensive Budget for Fiscal Year 2024; Waiving Resolution No. CJY-66-23 and 12 N.N.C §820 (F), §820 (I), §820 (O), §840 (B), and §860
SPONSOR: Honorable Shaandiin Parrish
(m) (s) (v)
APPROVED NAABIK’ÍYÁTI’ COMMITTEE SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA (9/05/2023) - CLOSE OF MEETING; ANNOUNCEMENTS; ADJOURNMENT
AGENDA SUBJECT TO CHANGE: The public is advised that the Navajo Nation Council Agenda and the Agendas of the Standing Committees are not final until adopted by a majority vote of the Navajo Nation Council or the Standing Committee at a Navajo Nation Council or a Standing Committee meeting pursuant to 2 N.N.C. §§163 and 183, Navajo Nation Council Rule of Order No. 7, and Standing Committee Rule of Order No. 8.
Livestream will be available online at: YouTube:
www.youtube.com/navajonationcouncil
