Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth believes the current plan to put the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA) commissioner under the governor’s control and restructure its board is a bad one for the state’s veterans.
Ainsworth announced opposition to the bill last week that authorizes the Governor to appoint the Commissioner to serve at the pleasure of the Governor and restructure the state board of veterans affairs. The legislation recently passed the Senate by a 21-9 margin after intensive work and changes, which now aligns more closely with Ainsworth’s message.
I will always step up and defend Alabama’s veterans because our veterans stepped up and defended all of us. pic.twitter.com/lWMgYZB0v2
— Will Ainsworth (@willainsworthAL) February 21, 2025
“Last week I announced my opposition to a bill that would seize control of the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs lock, stock, and barrel from those who wore our nation’s uniform,” Ainsworth said on a video message.
“I continue to hear from rank-and-file veterans who feel their voices are being silenced with this legislation and it makes a decidedly unpolitical agency into a fully political one. I stepped up because our veterans need someone fighting for them in Montgomery because our veterans fought for all of us.”
Current law states that the State Board of Veterans Affairs appoints the commissioner and other senior staff members.
Ainsworth’s opposition puts him at odds with Governor Kay Ivey, who argues the bill will give veterans a “stronger voice.”
SB67 to restructure the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs just passed the Senate and now heads to the House. Thank you, Senator Jones, for working closely with veteran groups on this legislation. I am confident it will give our veterans an even stronger voice. #alpolitics
— Governor Kay Ivey (@GovernorKayIvey) February 18, 2025
The nine senators who voted against the measure include State Sens. Tom Butler (R-Madison), Sam Givhan (R-Huntsville), Will Barfoot (R-Pike Road), Chris Elliott (R-Josephine), Vivian Figures (D-Mobile), April Weaver (R-Brierfield), Lance Bell (R-Pell City), Keith Kelley (R-Anniston), and Merika Coleman (D-Birmingham).
According to House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, the bill will be in committee next week, where it is not expected to undergo any changes from its current version. Tuesday will be day ten of the 2025 state legislative session.
Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on Twitter @Yaffee
