Navajo Nation leaders reauthorize revenue tax on harmful foods, beverages

FARMINGTON — Leaders on the Navajo Country have reauthorized a 2% sales tax on harmful foods and drinks acquired from retail suppliers on tribal land.

© Courtesy of Navajo Nation Business office of the President and Vice President
Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez indicators the tribal council resolution to reauthorize the Balanced Diné Nation Act of 2014 on Dec. 31, 2020 in Window Rock, Arizona.

Last month, the Navajo Country Council handed legislation to reauthorize the Nutritious Diné Nation Act of 2014. Navajo Country President Jonathan Nez concurred with the final decision on Dec. 31.

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The Business office of the Navajo Tax Fee has been amassing revenue from the revenue tax because fiscal year 2015.

Income is utilized to fund neighborhood-centered jobs that centre on wellness and promoting wholesome dwelling for the Navajo persons.

When the act was signed into legislation in November 2014, it integrated a sunset clause for Dec. 31, 2020 except if reauthorized by laws.

“We are heading to be utilizing these pounds to address some of the deficiencies – well being deficiencies – in our communities,” Nez said in remarks at the Dec. 31 signing ceremony in Window Rock, Arizona.

He included the reauthorization has no provision to close the tax.

The legislation, handed on Dec. 23 by the Navajo Nation Council, also clarified language in the act.

Nez, together with Vice President Myron Lizer, acknowledged the get the job done performed four several years back to enact the legislation in a letter to Speaker Seth Damon.

“In 2014, worried citizens lead an effort to change the patterns of their fellow citizens due to the high fee of diabetic issues, obesity, superior blood force and coronary heart ailment caused by our habit to unhealthy foods and sugary beverages,” they wrote.

Delegate Amber Kanazbah Crotty sponsored the invoice and has been in assist of its objective, along with associates of the Diné Community Advocacy Alliance and the Diné Food Sovereignty Alliance.

Crotty described to the tribal council that the tax has produced $7.58 million in gross earnings and profits allocated for wellness tasks averaged $13,171 on a yearly basis for every group, in accordance to a press launch from the Office environment of the Speaker.

In Crotty’s remarks in the course of the signing ceremony, she mentioned discuss to reauthorize the tax commenced more than a year back.

“Because delegates essential to be educated and the folks want to continue on to be educated about the wonderful plans occurring at the group level,” she said.

Noel Lyn Smith covers the Navajo Nation for The Every day Situations. She can be reached at 505-564-4636 or by electronic mail at [email protected].

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