Why is a reduction of the Navajo Nation Council needed?
• A reduction in the size of the council will bring needed efficiency to the legislative branch and return it to its policy-making and legislative function which by law is what the council should be focused on. • The Navajo People have not been given the opportunity to decide on the form of government they want, and the power of the legislative branch has continued to grow, creating an impractical imbalance between the government branches. • Since FY 2004, the Navajo Nation Council’s budget has more than doubled from $15.8 million to $31.5 million today, which is a 97.72 percent increase. • The Speaker is acting in a quasi-presidential role without the approval of the Navajo people by election. He is appointed by the Council.
