Navajo Nation road repair plan goes before tribe president

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation Council has approved $218,943 for a referendum to use $216 million from the principal of the Navajo Nation Permanent Trust Fund for road projects across the reservation. The Gallup Independent reports (http://bit.ly/2o70OE6 ) the council approved the Transportation Stimulus Plan referendum on Monday. The referendum is on its way to President Russell Begaye for signature or veto. The Legislative staff says the plan would use the $216 million throughout a six-year period at $36 million per year. Construction would include 20 miles (32 kilometers) of non-paved road improvements for bridge and gravel development in each of the tribe's 24 regions. The plan would require two-thirds majority vote of registered Navajo voters to be implemented.