Navajo lawmakers approve junk food tax

Source: Associated Press

The Navajo Nation Council approved a tax on junk food sold on the country's largest reservation, tribal officials announced Friday.

Lawmakers voted 10-4 on the last day of a two-day special session Friday to impose a 2 percent sales tax on items such as cookies, chips and sodas. If signed into law by President Ben Shelly, the "Healthy Dine Nation Act of 2014" would remain in effect until 2020.

American Indians and Alaska Natives as a whole have the highest age-adjusted prevalence of diabetes among U.S. racial and ethnic groups, according to the American Diabetes Association.

... The Tribal Council previously failed to pass the legislation in April and Shelly vetoed the measure earlier this year. ... Shelly has 10 days to consider approved legislation once the resolution is sent to his office.

Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/arizona/2014/11/15/navajo-lawmakers-approve-junk-food-tax/19086489/