Naabik’iyati Committee votes 15 in favor, 0 opposed to accept NM Public Regulations Commissioner Theresa Becenti-Aguilar’s report. It’s now 1:28 p.m.
The Naabi Committee is now on New Business: A. Legislation 0058-14: supporting coalition of Navajo Department of Transportation and the 14 state counties in Navajo Nation to work together for the improvement of the Federal Transportation Policy and Navajo Nation Transportation Infrastructure. Sponsors: Delegates Edmund Yazzie, Jonathan Nez, Danny Simpson
DELEGATE JONATHAN NEZ
Purpose of 0058-14 and introduces Coalition members. (Sorry, was working on Legislation added to Naabi agenda. But it’ll be in video tape)
COALITION
this coalition came together to address transportation on reservation. we have agreements with state counties for maintenance but many are project specific and don’t address overall funding. this collaboration w counties, we are working to address two major concerns: bring more money to program, $450 million from highway trust fund to tribal transportation department and want $1 billion annually; and federal funding removed for school bus routes. the other concerns are for our fair share. And next assignment is working at federal level on funding formula but for now the coalition is focusing on more funding and maintenance of school bus routes.
JESSIE THOMPSON, COUNTY REPRESENTATIVE
RIGHT NOW we want to get word out that counties and Navajo Nation working together. also know that funding for transportation is limited and very competitive so if go for those funds that means taking from other projects.
Like Darrel, other federal funds, including Indian school bus routes, occurred because of tribal and county/state collaboration.
NAVAJO COUNTY ASSISTANT MANAGER
wE need more money and when go to Washington DC separately we have same message so as coalition, that message will be stronger. We support Navajo Dept of Transportation.
When the Naabi Committee was adopting its agenda today, March 27, added four pieces of legislation:
i. Legislation 0064-14: approving a Navajo Nation grant and supplemental funding from the Unreserved Undesignated Fund in the amount of $180,000 for the Home for Women and Children for its domestic violence shelter, crisis intervention and advocacy services.
j. Legislation 0065-14: approving Navajo Nation grant and supplemental fund from the Unreserved Undesignated Fund balance in the amount of $210,000 for the Tohdenhasshai Committee Against Family Abuse, Inc. for its shelter services.
k. Legislation 0066-14: approving a Navajo Natin grant and supplemtnal funding from Unreserved Undesignated Fund balance for $80,786 for Ama Doo Alchini Bighan, Inc. (ADABI) for its crisis and safe home programs.
l. Legislation 0057-14: enacting the Navajo Nation Public Health Act of 2014.
