Alternate Capital Improvement Projects Plan gains 1st committee's endorsement

WINDOW ROCK -- On June 7, the Transportation and Community Development Committee of the Navajo Nation Council unanimously voted "Do Pass" on legislation that would appropriate $300,000 for capital improvement projects at each of the 110 Chapters.

Legislation No. 0421-05, sponsored by Committee Chairperson Mark Maryboy (Aneth/Red Mesa/Mexican Water) and Speaker Lawrence T. Morgan (Iyanbito/Pinedal), will next go to the Resources Committee, then to the Budget and Finance Committee, and to the Ethics and Rules Committee before being considered by the entire council. The legislation requires 59 votes or more at the council level to pass.

"The Appropriations Act deadlines have already passed, so we asked if there is an alternative way to obtain funds [for CIP]," Maryboy explained of the legislation.

Speaker Morgan said that it has been several years since chapters have received money for capital improvement projects.

"Our people are expecting an allocation from the council because they have done without capital funds from the nation for more than three years," Morgan said.

Committee member Willie Tracey Jr. (Ganado/Kinlichee) recommended that a timeline be attached to appropriations so that Chapters would expend the funds and get the projects started immediately.

"In the past, the funds just sat there. I think we should attach a timeline to this one. You either use it or you lose it," Tracey said.

The speaker reminded the committee members that they can make recommendations and/or amendments to the legislation but that the final decision to incorporate those lies with council.

The committee voted seven in favor and none opposed on the legislation with one amendment to correct several typographical errors in the capital improvements projects listing.

(Karen Francis is a Public Information Officer for the Navajo Nation Council Office of the Speaker.)

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