Gov. Armstrong’s controversial vetoes draw national attention
If first-term North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong wanted to make an impression right out of the gate, his controversial vetoes of school choice legislation and a bill protecting minors from sexually explicit materials in schools and libraries did just that. The surprise rejection of the conservative bills generated instant national attention on the GOP governor in political circles, as well as questions about what’s going on in the solidly red state under his leadership.
Mainstream media outlets lauded the unexpected action by the governor of a deep red state. Newsweek’s coverage under the headline of “Republican Governor Rebukes GOP Effort to ‘Legislate Morality'” typified the media and liberal advocacy groups’ response.
North Dakota Republican Governor Kelly Armstrong has vetoed two controversial bills that have found favor among Republican majorities in other states—one aimed at restricting access to books in schools and libraries, and another proposing a state-funded voucher system for private education.
Armstrong rejected the legislation Wednesday, calling the proposed library restrictions “a misguided attempt to legislate morality through overreach and censorship.” He criticized the bill’s vague definitions and punitive measures, warning that it could have “unintended and damaging consequences” for professionals tasked with enforcing it and for communities more broadly.
The New York Times noted Armstrong’s actions may portend a setback nationally for conservative efforts to rein in sexually explicit, harmful content that’s proliferated in many schools and libraries in recent years.
The legislation was part of a broader push by conservatives to restrict access to library books that they consider inappropriate for children, an effort that has alarmed many librarians and free speech advocates. New library laws or regulations have been approved in recent years in several Republican-led states, including Idaho, Iowa, South Carolina, Tennessee and Utah.
But the reaction has cut both ways. Leading conservative publications were stunned by Armstrong’s pointed veto letter, provoking bitter criticism in some quarters. Blaze Media didn’t hold back in a piece under a headline of “Red-state rot: How GOP governors are handing power to the left.”
Trump’s blind endorsements are wrecking the conservative movement from within, giving us weaklings like North Dakota’s Kelly Armstrong when we need leaders with backbone.
At first glance, outsiders might expect North Dakota to have already passed both school choice and a ban on pornography in public libraries. Republicans hold overwhelming majorities — 42-5 in the Senate and 83-11 in the House — and every statewide elected official is a Republican. Yet, Republican Gov. Kelly Armstrong’s twin vetoes of both bills have forced conservatives to wait another two years to achieve these basic red-state goals. Warnings about Armstrong’s weakness came early and often.
The Daily Signal called out Armstrong for torpedoing the best chance North Dakota parents have ever had for meaningful school choice.
Unfortunately for North Dakota families, Armstrong vetoed the measure.
The veto came as a surprise to many since the governor has been an advocate for education choice. In his State of the State address in January, Armstrong declared: “Our budget will support education savings accounts—funding set aside for each student to direct toward services or tuition across our public, nonpublic, or homeschool settings. The money follows the student, not the school, ensuring every student has the tools they need to prepare for college, a career, or the military.”
The national notoriety following the startling vetoes will die down soon enough. But legislators have made it clear the issues will be back with the intention of providing the governor the opportunity to reconsider next session.
“I’m confident that most red-state governors would have signed that bill, and we’ll just be back next time around to do it again,” said Rep. Ben Koppelman, R-West Fargo.