Speaker signs $150 million stimulus plan

Posted by Arlyssa Becenti | Apr 28, 2016 | News |

WINDOW ROCK

Navajo Nation Speaker LoRenzo Bates (T’iistoh Sikaad/Nenahnezad/ Upper Fruitland/Tse’ Daa’ Kaan/ Newcomb/San Juan) signed the legislation Wednesday to certify approval of a five-year expenditure plan that will provide $150 million for water infrastructure development, economic development and agricultural projects across the Navajo Nation.

This $150 million Permanent Fund Income Five-Year Expenditure Plan will dole out $30 million per year for the next five years. Ninety-five percent of the fund income will be expended in accordance with the five-year plan, and the remaining five percent will be reinvested back into the Permanent Trust Fund.

“The approval of the $150 million expenditure plan coincides with the approval of the $180 million that was approved in late January for water projects and sanitation system projects,” said Bates. “The 23rd Navajo Nation Council has approved a total of $330 million for critical and much needed projects across the Navajo Nation.”

It took a brand new Budget and Finance committee and a new chairperson to finally get this expenditure plan passed by the Navajo Nation Council. Former Budget and Finance chairman Bates, along with former vice chairman Jonathan Nez, now Navajo Nation vice president, had tried during the 22nd Navajo Nation Council to pass a similar bill. But, now that it has finally been passed all who were involved in the process believe it’s because everyone worked together.

“When we first started this path … they said it didn’t pass in the 21st Council, it didn’t pass in the 22nd Council … We were basically told it was going to die in the council,” said Budget and Finance Chairman Seth Damon (Baahaali/ Chilchiltah,/Manuelito/Red Rock/Rock Springs/Tsayatoh).

“It was a huge task…If the Budget and Finance committee did not stick together on this I don’t think it would’ve happened.”