Opinion | Bureaucracy slows tribal development, raises risk

Bureaucracy slows tribal development, raises risk

By Michael Zepeda

Editor’s note: Michael Zepeda, a candidate for Arizona state treasurer running under the Arizona Independent Party, issued the following statement in response to the Navajo Times Instagram post published Feb. 10, 2026, referencing the Feb. 5, 2026, story “Watchman tells Congress tribal economic programs need fixes.” More information about his campaign is available at mz4az.com.

The discussion raised in the Navajo Times post underscores a core financial truth: when economic programs are overly complex or administratively rigid, opportunity slows down and risk increases.

Arizona is home to 22 federally recognized tribal nations. These sovereign governments are not peripheral stakeholders. They are central economic partners in our state. When federal programs do not function smoothly, it directly affects capital flow, small business formation, infrastructure development and long-term financial stability across Arizona.

As a candidate for state treasurer running as an independent, I approach this through the lens of fiscal discipline and collaboration.

To read the full article, please see the Feb. 19, 2026, edition of the Navajo Times.

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