Veterans Bill Passes Legislature - Some Call It a Power Grab by Governor Ivey
The bill's passage has been met with substantial opposition from veterans and conservative groups.
In a move that has sparked significant controversy, the Alabama Legislature passed a bill this week restructuring the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA), effectively granting Governor Kay Ivey greater control over the department. The legislation, which passed this week, changes the structure of the State Board of Veterans Affairs (SBVA), a system that had been in place for 80 years. The bill shifts the authority to appoint and dismiss the ADVA commissioner from the SBVA to the governor, transforming the board into an advisory body.
The bill's passage has been met with substantial opposition from veterans and conservative groups who view it as a consolidation of power by the governor. Critics argue that this move undermines the autonomy of the veterans' board and diminishes the voice of Alabama's veteran community in decisions affecting their welfare. Despite these concerns, the bill advanced rapidly through the legislative process, with the House approving it in just over ten minutes.
Tensions escalated when allegations surfaced that individuals claiming to represent the governor's office threatened veterans with arrest if they proceeded with a planned rally at the State House to protest the bill. Troy Carico, an Army veteran and rally organizer, reported that a person identifying themselves as Denise McLarie from the governor's office warned that armed units would apprehend and arrest attendees. However, a spokeswoman for Governor Ivey denied that anyone from the governor's office issued such threats, and no individual by that name is listed among the governor's staff. Subsequently, the rally proceeded as planned without incident.
Further controversy arose when Governor Ivey canceled her appearance at an event hosted by the Alabama Federation of Republican Women (AFRW). The cancellation came after the AFRW publicly opposed the restructuring bill, reflecting a deepening rift within the state's Republican circles over the legislation. The AFRW expressed concerns that the bill does not represent the majority of veterans' organizations in Alabama and criticized the swift manner in which it was passed.
Governor Ivey has defended the restructuring, asserting that it will "give our veterans an even stronger voice" and enhance the efficiency of the ADVA. She emphasized her commitment to making Alabama the leading state for veterans, stating that the changes would elevate veteran needs within the state.
The backdrop to this legislative change includes a public dispute between Governor Ivey and former ADVA commissioner Kent Davis. Davis filed an ethics complaint against a member of Ivey's cabinet last year, leading to tensions that culminated in his dismissal by the governor. Davis has characterized the restructuring bill as "retaliation" for his ethics complaint, a claim that adds a layer of complexity to the ongoing debate.
The accusations of intimidation, the rushed nature of the bill, and its impact on veterans have fueled calls for further scrutiny.
As the bill awaits Governor Ivey’s signature to become law, the controversy highlights the challenges of balancing executive authority with the autonomy of bodies representing specific communities, such as veterans. The swift passage of the bill, coupled with allegations of intimidation and internal party disagreements, underscores the contentious nature of this legislative change and its potential implications for Alabama's veterans.
