North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley ruled Wednesday that Governor Kelly Armstrong’s accidental $35 million housing program veto was “sound,” allowing the funding to move forward. Armstrong had intended to cut only $150,000 for a homelessness liaison position, but a staff markup error also crossed out $35 million for affordable housing programs. Wrigley said Armstrong’s written veto message was “clear and unambiguous” about his intent, enough to salvage the programs. Wrigley’s interpretation dismisses legislative attorneys’ advice that a special session was needed to fix the error. The Legislative Council had argued the marked-up bill was part of the official veto document, but Wrigley called their memo simply a “political document” and said his office has final authority unless challenged in court.
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