SANTA FE, N.M. – On February 6, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren met with New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham to push forward solutions to long-standing capital outlay challenges and strengthen state–tribal collaboration, with a shared focus on moving projects faster and delivering real results for Navajo Nation communities.
The meeting centered on improving how capital outlay dollars are deployed so critical infrastructure projects can move more efficiently from planning to construction.
President Nygren emphasized the urgency of fixing the system during the current administration and outlined a plan to convene within the next two to three weeks with leaders from Tesuque, Jemez, and other tribal nations that have successfully streamlined their capital outlay processes. These discussions will include the Navajo Nation Attorney General, Controller, and Department of Community Development to identify best practices, remove internal barriers, and modernize Navajo Nation’s approach.
President Nygren also discussed pursuing an executive order to reform and clean up the capital outlay process, taking direct ownership of implementation, and advancing potential legislation to establish a matching fund that automatically aligns Navajo Nation resources with state capital outlay allocations.
Another proposal explored allowing the state to directly pay vendors and contractors upon invoice approval, accelerating reimbursements and enabling more efficient drawdown of funds.
Transportation and infrastructure priorities were also highlighted, including road improvements, bridge projects in McKinley County, and safety solutions for the heavily traveled Shiprock flea market. The conversation further addressed leveraging federal dollars for critical health and safety projects, including the proposed $8.9 million domestic violence women’s shelter in Chinle, Arizona, and the importance of coordination with neighboring states and federal agencies.
Governor Lujan Grisham underscored the shared responsibility to support tribal nations, stating, “Our job is to make sure that the things that we do just build further up and out. New Mexico is lucky to have leaders who are willing to give the time and energy to make that happen.”
President Nygren reaffirmed his commitment to reform, adding, “I want to solve our capital outlay challenges now. We’re going to challenge ourselves, clean up the process, and make sure these dollars turn into real projects for our people.”
Both leaders emphasized a shared commitment to accountability, partnership, and delivering results that strengthen communities across the Navajo Nation.
