Governor Kay Ivey rescinded an invitation to the Alabama Federation of Republican Women (AFRW) to dine at the governor’s mansion on Wednesday night after the group defied Ivey’s request not to allow a vote on a resolution opposing Ivey’s goal of grafting the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA) into her cabinet.
Ivey announced the legislation earlier this month at her State of the State address.
Senate Bill 67 (SB67) shifts the ADVA commissioner's hiring and firing responsibility to the governor. The role currently answers to the State Board of Veterans Affairs (SBVA). The bill also turns the SBVA into an “oversight” board.
The AFRW’s three-day Legislative Days meeting was between Tuesday and Thursday this week. On Tuesday, sources told 1819 News the AFRW resolutions committee was attempting to approve a measure to allow a full floor vote on a resolution opposing the bill. A member of Ivey’s staff reportedly asked them not to advance the resolution.
Once AFRW allowed the resolution to pass the resolutions committee, Ivey reportedly rescinded an invitation to the group to attend a reception at the governor’s mansion initially scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.
1819 News contacted Ivey’s office to ask why the invitation was rescinded. They declined to do so.
Ivey pushed the bill following a public feud between her office and former ADVA commissioner Kent Davis.
In October last year, Ivey removed Davis from office. After the board voted twice to keep Davis and not accept his forced resignation, Ivey exercised her "supreme executive power" to remove him for allegedly mishandling American Rescue Plan Act funds.
Former ADVA commissioner Kent Davis has said the bill is "retaliation" for his ethics complaint against a member of Ivey's cabinet last year.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
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