The Navajo Nation Council voted 12-7 on Thursday to pass the Healthy Diné Nation Act of 2013.

The bill imposes an additional two percent tax on junk foods like soda, chips, candy and cookies, bringing the tax to seven percent. The goal is to encourage healthy eating and healthy lifestyles on the Navajo Nation.

“Each one of us here has a relative that’s diabetic and we face that fact every single day,” Delegate Danny Simpson, who sponsored the bill, said in a press release.

The council also voted 17-1 to pass a separate bill that eliminates the 5 percent tax on fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, water, nuts, seeds and nut butters. Both bills will nw be sent to President Ben Shelly.

In related council news, delegates rejected a proposal to remove Speaker Johnny Naize from his post. He is facing criminal charges in tribal court.

The council's winter session ended on Thursday.

Get the Story:
Navajos pass higher tax on junk food (The Albuquerque Journal 1/31)
‘Defeat the Beast’ (The Albuquerque Journal 1/30)
Bill to remove Speaker Naize fails (The Farmington Daily Times 1/30)
Bill to appoint new Navajo Nation Council speaker removed from agenda (The Farmington Daily Times 1/30)

Related Stories:
Speaker of Navajo Council confident of job as session opens (1/28)
Navajo Nation Council considers bill to impose tax on junk food (11/6)