The Navajo Nation Council in Farmington, New Mexico recently voted 18-5 to approve Legislation No. 0016-21, which would provide $18.7 million in supplemental funding to four tribal enterprises impacted by Covid-19.
The Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise would receive $15 million; Navajo Arts and Crafts Enterprise, $2 million; Navajo Nation Hospitality Enterprise, $1.4 million; and Navajo Nation Shopping Centers Inc., $296,241. Once the bill is submitted to Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez, he has limited time to sign or veto it or use his line-item authority to change it.
Gaming Enterprise officials said the money would be used to replenish the casino treasury, fund payroll and health insurance coverage and pay expenses related to reopening casinos in New Mexico and Arizona. The nation’s four casinos temporarily closed in March 2020. Help was received from the federal Paycheck Protection Program plus $24.6 million from the federal Covid-19 relief bill.
Delegate Amber Kanazbah Crotty voted against the bill, noting tribal government repeatedly bails out the gaming enterprise. “Time and time again, we constantly as a council through one way or another are asked to subsidize gaming. I think in terms of what we’re doing as a council there should be a thorough assessment of the future of gaming on Navajo Nation,” she said.
Delegate Rick Nez noted gaming is challenged since it was deemed non-essential and forced to close. “They operated on their own from the time they were allowed to operate,” he added.
