HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 2

47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2006

INTRODUCED BY

Ray Begaye

FOR THE INDIAN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE NAVAJO NATION TO ESTABLISH A REVOLVING FUND FOR CAPITAL AND INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS BY CHAPTERS OF THE NAVAJO NATION.

     WHEREAS, the interim Indian affairs committee has heard testimony during the 2005 interim that members of the Navajo Nation living in remote areas may not have access to some of the basic necessities of life such as electricity and running water; and

     WHEREAS, the state of New Mexico each year appropriates to chapters of the Navajo Nation hundreds of thousands of dollars for capital improvements and extensions of infrastructure; and

     WHEREAS, the capital outlay appropriation process works on a reimbursement basis whereby entities receiving appropriations must first expend funds in order to be eligible for reimbursement; and

     WHEREAS, chapters of the Navajo Nation have limited financial resources to expend on capital improvement projects prior to reimbursement from other funding sources; and

     WHEREAS, the inability of chapters of the Navajo Nation to pay up-front costs of capital improvement projects has led to the reversion of significant funding from the state and cancellation of much-needed capital improvement projects;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the Navajo Nation be encouraged to establish and fund a revolving loan fund for chapter capital improvements, the disbursements from which will be reimbursed by capital outlay appropriations from the state of New Mexico when such appropriations have been approved by the state; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the president of the Navajo Nation, the speaker of the Navajo Nation council, the governor of New Mexico and the secretary of Indian affairs.

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