Council overrides Shirley’s vetoes

By John Christian Hopkins
Diné Bureau

WINDOW ROCK — The Navajo Nation Council overwhelming passed legislations during a special session Wednesday to override a pair of vetoes by President Joe Shirley Jr.

The first override was regarding placing the Office of Navajo Government Development under the auspices of the speaker’s office. That office currently reports to the Commission of Navajo Government Development.

“The council already passed this legislation by a good number of votes,” Speaker Lawrence T. Morgan said. He was the legislation’s sponsor.

The council made its position clear and now needs to reverse the president’s veto, Delegate Leonard Chee said.

“We’ve put a lot of money and years into the commission, with little to show for it,” Chee said. “Let us bring reform to the government, as it was intended.”

This bill would undermine government reform actions, Shirley wrote in his veto message to the speaker.

“The commission and office is a tool for the council to allow true government reform to occur,” the president noted.

The commission consists of a diverse representation, such as from each agency, the Medicine Men’s Association, Women’s Commission and students, Shirley said.

The veto passed, 65-15.

The second override legislation – sponsored by Delegate Tom Lapahe – concerned the Economic Development Committee’s ability to implement Navajo Nation business site licensing.

“Empowering the committee to establish and implement laws diminishes the power of the council to enact legislation, (and) usurps the power of the president to sign or veto legislation,” Shirley wrote.

This is problematic because it intrudes on the natural checks and balances of government, the president added.

Council passed the override, 69-14.

John Christian Hopkins can be reached at hopkins1960@hotmail.com