Guest Column, LoRenzo Bates: Legislation will soon be introduced establishing Council’s priorities

By LoRenzo Bates
Special to the Times

As Speaker of the Navajo Nation, it is one of my responsibilities and obligations to keep the Navajo people informed of the activities and legislative actions of the Navajo Nation Council.

One avenue of communication I intend to use on a more consistent basis is through this guest column provided through Navajo Times; my thanks to the Navajo Times for the opportunity to contribute regularly as a guest columnist.

In recent weeks, many of our people have asked what direction the 23rd Navajo Nation Council is taking to help our communities.

Recently, I requested each of the Council’s standing committees to develop and finalize priorities for their respective committees.

The purpose of this task is to assist in the establishment of an overall priority listing for the Navajo Nation Council.

Our people and our communities are well aware of the many needs we have in our Nation, many of which are very basic, such as water development, electric lines, and road repairs and construction.

The usefulness and viability of a priority listing comes down to guidance and accountability.

Each of the Council’s standing committees, and the Council as a whole, need direction in order to address the most critical needs in the coming years.

It is important for each of the 24 members of Council to know the scope of work for each standing committee, so that we increase efficiency and communication among our colleagues.

As for accountability, how are we as leaders to know if we are truly serving the Navajo people if we do not outline specific areas of needs and priorities? My expectation is that when this Council looks back in four years, we will be able to identify the areas of successes and areas that need improvement.

I appreciate the standing committees for taking the initiative to begin meeting with the various programs, divisions, and departments that each oversees to create the priorities to guide the committees.

In the coming weeks, legislation will be introduced to establish the Council’s priorities.

Once the legislation is officially introduced, I encourage the public to submit their recommendations via the five-day comment period.

This option allows the public to submit comments via e-mail or in written form to the Office of Legislative Services for any single legislation introduced.

Details are available on the Council’s website.

Upon the establishment of the priorities, it is critical that we work with the president of our Nation to align our priorities in order to better advocate for the needs of our people at all levels of government and to work effectively for our people.

In future guest columns, I will use this opportunity to inform the Navajo people of Council activities, legislative actions, and upcoming events to ensure that meaningful communication carries forward.

LoRenzo Bates is speaker of the 23rd Navajo Nation Council and represents the San Juan, Tiis Tsoh Sikaad, Newcomb, Tse Daa Kaan, Nenahnezad and Upper Fruitland chapters.

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