Hundreds of veterans are expected to rally on Tuesday in Montgomery in opposition to legislation putting the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA) commissioner under the governor's control that passed the Senate on Tuesday by a 21-9 margin.
The bill 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 advisory board.
The legislation still has to pass the House before it can be signed into law by Gov. Kay Ivey.
Ivey has maintained the bill will "give our veterans an even stronger voice."
Former ADVA commissioner Kent Davis has said the bill is "retaliation" for his ethics complaint against a member of Ivey's cabinet last year.
The rally will start at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday at the State House. Some of the speakers will be Major General Mike Sumrall, Davis, Pete Riehm, and Shannon McDaniel of the Hunter Whitley Butterfly Initiative
Troy Carico, an Army veteran and rally organizer, said he expects several hundred attendees at the rally on Tuesday.
"What they've done is they've activated veteran nation. In their quest of this power grab, they have activated veteran nation statewide and we're now awake. This is going to continue to grow. This is just one piece of it," Carico told 1819 News on Friday.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email caleb.taylor@1819News.com.
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