Council passes spending bill
Votes down bills to limit president's powers, delegates serving multiple jobs

By John Christian Hopkins
Diné Bureau

WINDOW ROCK — The Rehoboth Christian School now has money in the bank. And so do the nine other amendments added to the spending bill.

A day after voting down the legislation, 49-24 it needed 2/3rds, 59 votes the Navajo Nation Council Wednesday took a re-vote and this time passed the measure overwhelmingly, by a 69-12 tally.

The original legislation called for $150,000 to be given to the Rehoboth Christian School, but nine riders were placed on the bill bringing the total to $7.5 million.

Delegate Young Jeff Tom (Mariano Lake/Smith Lake) moved to reconsider the bill. Speaker Lawrence T. Morgan (Iyanbito) said that a cease debate motion had passed Tuesday night; so if recalled the council could only vote on it, not debate it or amend it.

Among the amendments, was one added by Ray Berchman (Oak Springs/St. Michaels) to give the judicial branch $2.9 million, and another made by Norman John II (Twin Lakes) to give the Din Power Authority $2 million.

Each delegate will get $5,000 to bring back to their chapters thanks to an amendment added by delegate Curran Hannon (Oak Springs/St. Michaels).

Delegate Ervin M. Keeswood Sr. (Hogback) added four amendments, including $300,000 to the offices of the president and vice president $150,000 each and $500,000 for the gaming regulatory office. Grazing committee members and the Eastern Land Board also received funds.

"This was a good thing," delegate Larry Anderson Sr. (Fort Defiance) said after the vote. "This will help the Rehoboth School."

After two hectic days, Wednesday's agenda appeared primed for more fireworks, as two potentially explosive issues loomed: an amendment to force the president to seek council's blessing before making statements or taking action, and a bill that would prohibit delegates from serving in any other elected positions or practicing law while on the Navajo Nation Council.

During Monday's opening session, President Joe Shirley Jr. vowed to veto the Dempsey Amendment sponsored by delegate Roy B. Dempsey (Oak Springs/St. Michaels) if it passed and to pursue legal action, if necessary.

Dempsey and co-sponsor Mel Begay (Coyote Canyon/Mexican Springs) asked the council to listen "with an open mind" as they outlined reasons they felt the bill was needed.

The president is "a tool of the Navajo Nation" and is responsible for promoting goodwill, Dempsey said; however, Shirley goes to national conferences and makes statements contrary to what council feels, he added.

"I feel this is very important for our constituents back home who have entrusted us with their voice," Begay said. "This legislation will allow the Navajo Nation's strong voice to be heard."

But delegate Roy Laughter (Chilchinbeto/Kayenta) saw it as just another level of red tape. "If it's not wrong, why try to fix it?" he asked. "It's more of a power issue."

The executive and legislative branches of the Navajo Nation should be working together, not trying to dominate each other, argued delegate Raymond Maxx (Coalmine Canyon/Toh Nanees Dizi).

"We've always had a weak president, where the legislative branch ends up with all the power," said delegate Mark Maryboy (Mexican Water/Aneth/Red Mesa). "And the judicial branch is almost non-existent. I'd hate to put a restriction on the president where he becomes just a token."

Council was wasting time debating this piece of legislation, Keeswood asserted.

"There's nothing in it about enforceability; all it does is create animosity," Keeswood said. "This is really an attempt to micromanage and muzzle the president."

Upper Fruitland delegate Lorenzo C. Bates agreed. He said this was council's way of telling the president "it's my way or the highway."

The measure failed by a 12-65 vote.

Delegate Tom M. White Jr. (Fort Defiance) said he sponsored his bill because being a council delegate is a great deal of work and he feels the Navajo people deserve a delegate's full attention.

"We're on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week," White said. As delegates, they attend numerous committee and subcommittee meetings, serve on agencies and often travel.

"With two elected positions, I cannot represent them fairly," said White, a first-term delegate who also serves as Apache County supervisor.

Without comment, council voted down White's legislation, 36-40.

Later, White said he had checked with council's legislative advisors and was told the vote was wrong because several delegates who hold other elected positions such as school board members should have recused themselves from voting.

— John Christian Hopkins can be reached at 1-505-371-5443, or by email at Hopkins1960@hotmail.com.