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Posted: December 3, 2021

 

navajoarpaThe Navajo Nation 

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 2, 2021

Navajo leaders work toward finalizing legislation for hardship assistance and infrastructure projects 

LEUPP, Arizona – Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez, Vice President Myron Lizer, and Division Directors met with the 24th Navajo Nation Council’s Naabik’íyáti’ Committee on Wednesday and Thursday at Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort, to review Legislation No. 0257-21, which seeks the Council’s support to allocate $1.16 billion in Fiscal Recovery Funds authorized through the American Rescue Plan Act for hardship assistance and infrastructure projects that would deliver water, electricity, broadband, housing, and bathroom additions.

This is the first of several bills that will be considered to allocate over $2 billion that the Navajo Nation received to help recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Legislation No. 0257-21 is sponsored by Speaker Seth Damon and proposes the following funding allocations:

  • Water and Wastewater Projects            $301 million
  • Broadband Infrastructure                      $208 million
  • Electricity for Homes                             $200 million
  • Housing                                                $100 million
  • Bathroom Additions                              $150 million
  • Hardship Assistance                              $207 million

According to the legislation, the Naabik’íyáti’ Committee held 26 public work sessions to hear the needs and priorities of the Navajo people. The Office of the President and Vice President and the Division of Community Development also met with many chapters to receive their priorities also. Based on the work sessions and meetings, the Executive Branch worked closely with the Legislative Branch to develop the legislation to help provide immediate and long-term relief for the Navajo people. This week’s work session allowed Division Directors and Navajo Nation enterprises to present detailed information and respond to questions regarding the proposed allocations and other funds that were received through the American Rescue Plan Act. 

“We appreciate the Naabik’íyáti’ Committee members taking the time to hold multiple work sessions over the last several months to help develop the legislation that is now ready for consideration. We understand that the Navajo people want the funds to be appropriated and put to use quickly. Now that the legislation is eligible for consideration by the Naabik’íyáti’ Committee and the Council, we are optimistic that this week’s work session moves that process forward. This legislation will deliver hardship assistance directly to the Navajo people and won’t require past recipients to re-apply, and also allocate funds to get water, electricity, housing, broadband, and bathroom additions to more of our people,” said President Nez. 

In July, the 24th Navajo Nation Council approved Resolution CJY-41-21, which was signed into law by President Nez and provides the framework for the implementation of the $2 billion in funds and allowed the Executive Branch to establish the Navajo Nation Fiscal Recovery Fund Office led by interim Executive Director Tom Platero. The office has established a website to share information with the public: http://www.frf.navajo-nsn.gov.

“We have to get this across the finish line soon, so we can get relief to the people and boots on the ground to complete infrastructure projects. This will provide relief to our people, a boost to our local economy, and put more of our people to work through construction jobs and other services. This is an opportunity to improve the quality of life for our people now and for generations to come,” said Vice President Lizer. 

The Nez-Lizer Administration continues to work with the Legislative Branch to develop more legislations to allocate funds for educational initiatives, wellness centers/detox centers/senior centers/transition housing, mental health services, social services, chapter projects, economic development, tourism, and enterprises. 

Legislation No. 0257-21 can be found online on the Office of Legislative Services website: http://dibb.nnols.org/publicreporting.aspx. Public comments may be submitted by e-mail to comments@navajo-nsn.gov while the bill is eligible for consideration. 

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