WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — On Sept. 16, the 25th Navajo Nation Council unanimously approved emergency Legislation No. 0206-24, which will secure a six-month Continuing Resolution to avoid employee layoffs and continue critical government operations beyond the end of the current fiscal year which ends on Sep. 30, if the bill is signed into law by the Navajo Nation President.
“Today’s unanimous vote demonstrates the 25th Navajo Nation Council’s commitment to securing direct services for the Navajo people through continued government operations and preventing any furloughs or layoffs of Navajo Nation employees,” Speaker Crystalyne Curley said. “The 25th Navajo Nation Council remains committed to moving the comprehensive budget process forward. The approval of this Continuing Resolution is another step the council has taken to implement a solution that benefits our people.”
If signed by Navajo Nation President Dr. Buu Nygren, the Continuing Resolution will provide 50% of the Fiscal Year 2024 Comprehensive Budget amounts for all Navajo Nation programs, departments, and divisions for a six-month period including General Funds, 110 Navajo Nation Chapters, Personnel Lapse Fund and Fixed Costs.
The Continuing Resolution fully funds the FY2025 set-aside for the Navajo Nation Veterans Trust Fund to ensure that Navajo Veterans continue to receive their benefits. The Diné Higher Education Grant Fund will also receive 100% of its funding to ensure that Navajo students receive their scholarship funds.
Navajo Technical University and Diné College will also receive their full funding amount.
The Continuing Resolution covers the mandated set-asides for the following:
- Permanent Fund: 12% or just over $29 million
- Land Acquisition Trust Fund: 2% or just under $5 million
- Diné Higher Education Grant Fund: $12.4 million
- Capital Outlay Match Funding Fund: $2 million
- Water Rights Claims Fund: $2 million
- Veterans Trust Fund: 4% or almost $9.7 million
