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| Grand Forks Herald Picture |
I think it would be bad move politically and possible political suicide if Governor Dalrymple he doesn't sign the bill if it is approved by the House and Senate, especially with how much support it has from the people of North Dakota.
Bismarck, ND --- Gov. Jack Dalrymple said Thursday that he’s asked Lt. Gov. Drew Wrigley, a former U.S. attorney, to “thoroughly” study a bill in the North Dakota Legislature that would require the University of North Dakota to retain its Fighting Sioux nickname.
But he’s keeping mum about what he will do if the legislation gets the approval of the Senate and comes to his desk for a final signature.
He told the Grand Forks Herald’s editorial board that he needs to know “exactly what it does” before making a final decision. House Bill 1263, which easily passed the House in a 65-28 vote last Monday, could be changed in the Senate.
Another issue is that the North Dakota Constitution doesn’t allow the governor to threaten a veto, he said.
Dalrymple said he told Wrigley to look over the legislation and study the issues behind this bill as it heads to the Senate.
“I want him to totally understand all of the legal arguments on both sides and keep an eye on it,” he said. “But we think that it’s very possible that we could see an amendment or two in the Senate. I’m not going to say anything about it until I see what I’m being asked to sign.”
