National Council Overrides Final Vetoes From Ellis Administration

Staff Writer

The Muscogee (Creek) National Council met on January 28, 2012 for the Legislative branches Quarterly Session. Reverend Jimmy Alexander of the New Joy Baptist Church was on hand to give the invocation.

The first three items on the agenda involved pieces of legislation that former Principal Chief A.D. Ellis had vetoed previously. The legislation addressed “Compensation of National Council”, an appropriation for a “…Complete Comprehensive Audit of the Judicial Branch” and creating a new Title 26 which established three new courts. All three of the former Principal Chief’s vetoes were overridden with only a total of three votes against. The only votes cast opposing the overrides were cast in the vote on NCA 11-213 which restructured the District Court into three new courts.

During the regular “ORDER OF BUSINESS”, the National Council adopted resolutions covering issues ranging from appropriations, land purchases and the restructuring of the National Councils standing committees. At least thirteen laws were amended to replace language regarding a standing committee. This restructuring action is purportedly due to the reduction of the National Council to sixteen members.

Also on the agenda were the confirmations of

four persons nominated by the Principal Chief to serve in various capacities within the Nation. Andrew Adams III was confirmed as a Supreme Court Justice. Roger Wiley, who has previously served as a Supreme Court Justice and Attorney General, was confirmed to serve once again as Muscogee (Creek) Nation Attorney General. Sharon Mouss was confirmed by the Council to continue serving on the Board of Regents for the College of the Muscogee Nation. And Gregory Bigler was given the nod to serve as a District Judge in the District Trial Courts of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. All four nominations were unanimously passed.