Lt. Governor Ainsworth breaks with Governor Ivey over VA control

On Monday evening, Alabama Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth publicly announced his opposition to a proposal by Governor Kay Ivey to reform the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA).

According to Ainsworth, the proposal would transform the entity from “an independent, veteran-led agency to one that is subject to the full authority and direction of the governor’s office.”

“When it comes to filling the needs of veterans, men and women who have actually worn a uniform should remain in charge,” Ainsworth said. “The department and the method of selecting members of the Veterans Affairs board have operated well under the current system for many years, and I am among those who believe ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’”

The split comes in the wake of Ivey proposing the new structure, including making the Secretary of ADVA a cabinet-level position, in her State of the State address last week. The legislation in question is SB67 and HB154, authored by the chairmen of the Veterans & Military Affairs committees in their respective chambers.

“The many legislative measures proposed and passed by the commission include bills that expanded relocation resources for military spouses, allowed military dependents to pay in-state tuition at colleges and universities while stationed in Alabama, extended the enrollment deadline for military families to apply for magnet schools, and guaranteed the acceptance of out-of-state occupational licenses for military dependents in various professions,” a release from Lt. Governor Ainsworth’s office said.

“The U.S. Department of Defense awarded Ainsworth its Pete Taylor Partnership of Excellence Award for his successful efforts to expand education opportunities and access for military dependents stationed in Alabama.”

The governor’s proposed restructuring comes after an intense, internal struggle with former Secretary of the ADVA, Kent Davis, which resulted in Ivey exercising her executive authority to remove Davis from his position, citing “supreme executive power” under the Alabama Constitution.

Tuesday is day four of the 2025 legislative session.

Update 8:30 a.m. — State Sen. April Weaver (R-Briarfield) and State Sen. Chris Elliott (R-Josephine) have also shared their opposition to the bill.

“My mother was months old when she first met her father because he was away serving in World War II,” State Sen. Weaver wrote on Facebook.

“My cousin, Gene, was killed in action. Each time I meet a veteran or active service member, I am struck by their love of country, devotion to duty, and willingness to put their lives on the line in order to protect our freedoms. Veterans deserve an agency that is focused solely on serving their needs and their voices deserve to determine its direction. For those reasons, I am a hard NO on the bill to restructure and reorganize the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs.”

Grayson Everett is the editor in chief of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270.