NAVAJO COUNCIL CONTINUES DEBATE ON ALLOWING PEOPLE TO VOICE WHAT LAWS THEY SUPPORT OR DON’T SUPPORT THRU REFERENDUM/LEGISLATION 0367-13. SPONSOR IS DELEGATE JONATHAN NEZ.
DELEGATE LORENZO CURLEY
LINE 17 or 16 talks about alternative forms of government. Is this proposed law limited to questions of government structure? Look at law you are proposing and it is open to questions that pple wud vote on. And only Navajo pple vote on what they make law. For example, budget matters – how government uses money from energy development.
This law wud make that only Navajo pple undo law/decision.
DELEGATE WITHERSPOON
If goes to court, we may not have this authority anyway. Example: gaming. Pple voted against but gaming came about so cud be used to not follow voice of pple.
Pretty simple question, if u have voice of pple voting on intiative and approving then way change is go back to the pple. Certainly if we as Councl have concern can appropriate fund and have campaign and have referendum again.
By voting for this you essentially align self with Supreme Court ruling and give up on out to override pple’s voice.
We as delegates have opportunity to go to chapters twice a month and provide input on educating communities about possible referendums.
So hypothetical if something occur then there is remedy to prevent a possible inappropriate item brought to pple for referendum and also opportunity to reverse referendum not in interest of pple.
This is on the books but don’t know if really valid authority.
DELEGATE NELSON BEGAY
I FIND more and more that problem with quorum at chapter and only 25 makes quorum and some chapters reducing quorum requirement.
We have so many relatives, youth especially going off rez. 60 percent off rez, 40 percent on rez. I’m really worried about that.
DELEGATE MEL BEGAY
There was no comment from pple when this legislation went out for public comment. Government important and we need to solidify, strengthen with strong policies using outside world trends.
Every Delegate here is exposed to outside and what we based decision on. But if give every individual to take position without sound ideas or commitment then our community and nation wud not be given right decision.
DELEGATE ALTON SHEPHERD
The laws implemented now are not meant to create confusion. The people voted on two laws including reducing the Council to 24 and now there is confusion.
Two times people approved referendum and Council didn’t allow.
This is about Council respecting people’s vote.
Talking about chapter quorum.
It’ll cost money to do referendum and it’s a first. I support to allow people opportunity to make changes in law and how best to work with Council. A lot of times they don’t know what we are doing.
