Bates highlights energy, Fort Wingate land in speaker’s report
LoRenzo Bates
WINDOW ROCK
Aside from signing the “One Voice, One Nation” agreement, Speaker LoRenzo Bates’ report to the Navajo Nation Council on Monday also highlighted the work and progress of the tribal legislature.
Bates’ 10-page report, which council accepted by a vote of 14-0, focused on several areas such as the legislative body’s subcommittees and task forces, the New Mexico Gaming Compact and the proposed joint energy working group.
The Navajo Indian Irrigation Project, which provides water to the Navajo Agricultural Products Industry near Farmington, the federal Land Buy-Back Program, emergency services in San Juan County, N.M. and the Fort Wingate Land Division were also part of Bates’ report.
Regarding the New Mexico Gaming Compact, Bates said that final approval between the state and feds took effect on June 22, meaning that over 800 jobs for Navajo and non-Navajo families were secured until 2017.
With the signing of the compact, it also means more jobs, the speaker said, adding that the gaming compact allows the Navajo Nation to operate up to four Class III gaming facilities in New Mexico.
Through the Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise, the Nation operates three Class III gaming facilities – Fire Rock Navajo Casino, Northern Edge Navajo Casino and Flowing Water Casino.
According to the gaming compact, revenue sharing with the State of New Mexico will increase until the compact expires in 2017.
“This compact will benefit both the State of New Mexico and the estimated 150,000 Navajo people residing in New Mexico,” Bates said.
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