After Gov. Kay Ivey rescinded a reception invitation to a Republican women’s group in apparent retaliation for voting to openly oppose her effort to restructure the state veterans department and board, Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth stepped up to host the group at his own reception.
In a Wednesday afternoon report, 1819 News detailed reports that the Alabama Federation of Republican Women (AFRW) had their invitation to dine at the governor’s mansion rescinded after defying Ivey’s apparent wishes not to approve a resolution opposing her efforts to graft the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA) into her cabinet.
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Once AFRW allowed the resolution to pass the resolutions committee, Ivey reportedly rescinded an invitation to the group to attend a reception at the governor’s mansion initially scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.
In a tweet, Ainsworth announced that he had decided to “step in” after “the group's original venue fell through.”
The bill at the center of the dispute is Senate Bill 67 (SB67), which 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, removing all real authority.
Ainsworth has opposed the measure throughout the legislative process despite several amendments to assuage the concerns of the state’s veterans service organizations (VSOs).
RELATED: Ainsworth calls Ivey-led ADVA restructure a 'power play'
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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