SANTA FE, NM – The 24th Navajo Nation Council met with Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe to discuss the top priorities of the Navajo people for New Mexico. Topics of discussion included support for capital outlay projects invested to Navajo chapters, development of clean hydrogen, and the cross commissioning of police officers on state and tribal land.
“The last few weeks, the Navajo Nation Council successfully worked with New Mexico lawmakers for the allocation of $14.8 million in new capital outlay funds for our Navajo chapters,” said Speaker Seth Damon. “We appreciate Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham for meeting with us to hear our concerns and have requested she immediately sign Senate Bill 212 into law. The Navajo Nation looks forward to working with the governor as we begin construction on electric power lines, bathroom additions, water system improvements, roadways, and additional funds for senior centers and veteran services. Our partnership with New Mexico will create hundreds of new jobs while rebuilding and enhancing our infrastructure during this pandemic.”
State Senator Nancy Rodriguez (D-NM) is the sponsor of Senate Bill No. 212 that was passed earlier this week by the New Mexico Senate and House of Representatives allocating around $14.8 million for Capital Outlay Funds for the Navajo Nation. The legislation will now be considered by the Office of the Governor to appropriate millions for bathroom additions, construction of electric power lines, broadband internet lines, and water system improvements.
“COVID-19 has caused massive job loss for the Navajo people that has led families to relocate off the Navajo Nation,” said Chairman Rickie Nez. “We have to do what we can to ensure our economic future is secure after this pandemic. The victims and survivors of the uranium legacy were left behind by the federal government and the clean-up of the over 500 abandoned uranium mines on our land needs to happen immediately. Governor Lujan Grisham is supportive, especially to designate New Mexico as a clean hydrogen hub for the United States. The Navajo Nation wants the southwest region to be a clean energy hub as we transition to a carbon-free future. The challenges ahead may be daunting but working in collaboration with New Mexico, we can create hundreds of new jobs and bring clean drinking water and electricity to our elders. It is my belief the Navajo people are resilient and will overcome this time in history.”
The 27,000 square miles of the Navajo Nation sits at the intersection of hydrogen development for New Mexico and Arizona, where both states share an interest in making the Four Corners region a clean energy hub. If signed into law, Senate Bill No. 212 will provide $700,000 to the Shiprock Chapter for parking lot repairs at the senior center, construction funds for the multi-purpose veterans center, and an incident command center for law enforcement.
“We appreciate how Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has been proactive in making decisions during this pandemic to save thousands of lives,” said Madam Chair Eugenia Charles-Newton. “Because of her advocacy, chapter capital outlay projects for infrastructure development will bring water, electricity, broadband and much more to the Navajo Nation.”
In January, the Navajo Nation Council passed Resolution No. CJA-08-22 overriding the presidential veto of CO-56-21 that reaffirmed the Navajo Nation’s request to the Governor of New Mexico to activate the Naat’aanii Development Corporation and Molina Healthcare, Inc. to increase medical resources available to the Navajo people during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham shared her appreciation to Navajo leaders for taking proactive measures to protect the health and well-being of families during the pandemic. “The Navajo Nation is resilient and continues to be a leader for Indian Country as American Rescue Plan Act funds are allocated to rebuild communities across New Mexico,” said Grisham. “The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests over $2 billion in new funding sources for New Mexico that can help upgrade roads, bridges, construct new water lines, and bring electricity to our rural areas. As governor, my commitment to Navajo chapters is clear – there will be no cuts to capital outlay project funding. New Mexico will continue to work with the Navajo Nation to ensure all our families are protected.”
