The South Alabama Veterans Council said on Wednesday it opposes legislation restructuring the governance of the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA).
Legislation that would change the makeup of the State Board of Veterans Affairs and how the ADVA commissioner is appointed passed the Senate Veterans and Military Affairs committee on Wednesday.
The legislation would change the ADVA commissioner's role to being appointed by the governor. Currently, the position is hired and fired by the State Board of Veterans Affairs. The State Board of Veterans Affairs would also be changed to an "advisory" role. Seven of the nine board members would be appointed by the governor. The House speaker and Senate pro-tem would also each get one board appointment. Gov. Kay Ivey endorsed the legislation in her State of the State address on Tuesday.
Robert Barrow, president of the South Alabama Veterans Council, said in a letter to Alabama lawmakers on Wednesday that the bill would "do damage to veterans and their families."
"The continued independence of both the Commissioner and the State Board of Veterans Affairs from political influence is crucial to ensuring that Alabama's nearly 400,000 veterans receive consistent, fair, and nonpartisan support. Veterans' issues such as healthcare, housing, employment, and mental health services are not political in nature but rather matters of honoring service and providing essential resources to those who have sacrificed for their nation. When a board is subject to political influence, as is now being proposed by Alabama State Senator Andrew Jones, decision-making can shift based on changing administrations rather than the long-term needs of veterans. The independence of the Commissioner and board allows for continuity in policies and programs, preventing the disruption of services that can occur when leadership changes due to political appointments. If a board is heavily influenced by political interests, there is a risk that veterans' needs may become secondary to partisan agendas and/or budgetary considerations. Decisions should be based on expertise, data, and the lived experiences of veterans rather than shifting political priorities," Barrow said.
Barrow continued, "Additionally, an independent Commissioner and board can ensure equitable treatment for all veterans, regardless of political affiliation or background. The mission of a State Board of Veterans Affairs should be solely focused on advocating for and serving veterans, without being swayed by external political pressures that could introduce bias into funding, programming, or eligibility requirements. By maintaining independence, the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs and the Alabama State Board of Veterans Affairs can foster public trust, ensuring that veterans and their families receive stable, unbiased, and effective support. The sacrifices made by veterans deserve a system that prioritizes their well-being over political considerations, making independence not just beneficial but essential."
"I often hear our political candidates talk of their support for veterans and their families...while Alabama once led the nation in terms of benefits offered to veterans, we can no longer make that claim. Talk is cheap...actions speak louder than words. As a voting block veterans and their families deserve better than what this bill offers. The fact is that this bill originated from a personal dispute between the Governor and the former Commissioner of the SBVA. There seems to be a personal vendetta against the SBVA resulting from this disagreement...the proposed legislation potentially hurts thousands of veterans who were not directly involved in this quarrel. If this bill passes, I can assure you that Alabama veterans will not forget who voted for this poor piece of legislation!" Barrow said.
SAVC Letter Opposing Alabama SB67 Proposed Legislation by Caleb Taylor on Scribd
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