Naabik’iyati Committee votes 10 Yes, 1 No on Removal of Naize as Speaker

Naabi still debating Legislation 0069-14, removal of Delegate Naize as Speaker.

DANA
The funding for legal fees actually went to start Human Rights Office.
And after my legal advice, the Council made amendment to Election Law which is the amendment that Curley has.

LEGISLATIVE ATTORNEY MARIANA KAHN
Curley wants to add language that is the longer part of election law so that language wud ned to be removed cuz no longer Navajo law. Background for why removed by Council. That language was in code and it required Council vote 2/3 vote to remove delegate or elected official after conviction. no longer 2/3 vote but automatic removal by Election Board.
Section 8, Title 11 of Election Code: upon assuming elected office, elected official maintain qualifications that involve certain crimes and if convicted misdemeanor.
I believe Curley referring to a remark I made when I said that his amendment was not in order because 0069-14 is about removing speaker, not as delegate.
the language being proposed is that any delegate found to be in violation shall be removed. The purpose of 0069-14 is removal of Naize as speaker, not as delegate.

DELEGATE LORENZO CURLEY
But the expectation of public is there and why shud be done now. So up to Naabi to vote on my amendment. Delegate Leonard Tsosie seconds Curley’s amendment.

DELEGATE DWIGHT WITHERSPOON
My concern with amendment is using language that is no longer part of Navajo law, putting law into legislation for removal of Naize as speaker, changes intent of legislation.

DELEGATE LEONARD TSOSIE
Curley’s amendment is better in a separate legislation.

SPEAKER PRO TEMP SMITH
If u pass this amendment, I will have to rule it out of order.

DELEGATE NELSON BEGAYE
I wish you wud have ruled out of order so ask Naabi to vote down.

DELEGATE RUSSELL BEGAYE
it appears to me that amendment is not for immediate removal. it restates wat in law. so it’s restatement not to remove delegates. if election supervisors wud not be wimpy then they will remove elected officials. and if they aren’t then maybe bring back to council.

SPEAKER PRO TEMP ROSCOE SMITH
I rule Curley’s amendment out of order because it changes the intent of legislation 0069-14.

VOTE ON CURLEY’S AMENDMENT
5 in favor, 6 opposed

NAABI VOTE ON REMOVAL OF NAIZE AS SPEAKER
10 IN FAVOR, 1 OPPOSED
DELEGATE WALTER PHELPS ONE VOTE OPPOSING
Legislation 0069-14 now goes to full Council and Delegate Alton Shepherd announced before vote that he had a petition for a special council session on April 4.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *