Navajo legislative complex rejected

By Felicia Fonseca
The Associated Press

WINDOW ROCK — The Navajo Nation Council has rejected a measure that would have financed a new legislative complex and other buildings.

The measure failed Thursday on a vote of 54-21. It required 59 affirmative votes, or two-thirds of the council, to pass.
A supporter of the measure, Navajo Nation lawmaker Ervin Keeswood, realized the bill would fall short of the required number of votes in an initial vote Wednesday and voted against it. That strategy allowed him to move to reconsider the bill Thursday.

President Joe Shirley Jr. lobbied against the measure, contending it put the needs of the council before those of the Navajo people. In an ad in the Gallup Independent, he urged delegates to vote against the bill.

“I’m reassured it’s not all for naught, speaking out for the people, standing for the people. I really appreciate the 21 who had voted against it,” Shirley said Thursday.
But Tribal Council Speaker Lawrence Morgan, who sponsored the bill, said he didn’t believe the proposal was dead.

The council can bring up the measure again by suspending its own rules that say a bill can be recalled only once. Such a maneuver would require a two-thirds vote of the council as well.

Supporters spent the lunch hour asking critics of the measure to change their mind. However, the council had not taken up the matter again when it adjourned in the afternoon because there weren’t enough delegates for a quorum.

“If this (construction) should not pass for any reason, I would think there’s no progress,” Morgan said.

The legislation originally specified a loan of $50 million, but council delegates added $75 million more to include financing options for other facilities, including police stations and jails.

The council voted 54-17 for the bill Wednesday — five votes short of the two-thirds needed for passage.

As envisioned, the legislative complex would include a new council chambers, offices for the delegates and public space. It’s expected to cost about $36 million, but the price tag could increase as delegates chime in on the design.

Morgan said the size of the current council chambers and its designation as a historic landmark make it unfit for the council’s business.

“The Navajo Nation is always looking for progress, and of course if we don’t make a bold move, we’re going to remain status quo,” he said.

Among the 21 Council delegates who voted to defeat Legislation 202-08 were: Pete Ken Atcitty, Harriet K. Becenti, Sampson Begay, Willie Begay, Lorenzo Bedonie, Alice W. Benally, Katherine Benally, Jack Colorado, Benjamin Curley, Raymond Maxx, Jonathan Nez, Bobby Robbins, Sr., David Shondee, Danny Simpson, Willie Tracey, Jr., Leonard Tsosie, Tommy Tsosie, Thomas Walker, Jr., Harold Wauneka, Elbert R. Wheeler and Harry J. Willeto