ACTION 8 UPDATE: State veterans affairs commissioner declines Ivey request that he resign
ACTION 8 UPDATE: Alabama Dept. of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Kent Davis has released a statement, declining Gov. Kay Ivey’s request that he resign.
Davis delivered a letter to Ivey to formally decline her request.
He also released a written statement and a Facebook video to address the state.
Below is the statement from Davis:
“I respectfully disagree with the inaccurate claims made against the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs this week. We have continuously been transparent in our department’s mission and day-to-day operations in our service to Alabama’s 400,000 Veterans. This includes earlier this year when ADVA attempted to work with members of the Governor’s staff, cabinet, and the Department of Finance regarding American Rescue Plan Act funds. At no time did our actions jeopardize the State of Alabama in fulfilling its obligations of the $2.1 billion in ARPA funds.
“This has been an outstanding year for the ADVA as we have completed the first planned expansion of the Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Spanish Fort and next week will dedicate our fifth State Veterans Home, which is named in honor of Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient and Alabama native Bennie G. Adkins. We will continue to support Alabama’s Veterans and their families by assisting them with benefits they have earned, finding housing for homeless, seeking non-profit assistance for funding, and providing referrals for mental and physical health care.
“It is my desire and will to continue advocating for Alabama Veterans. We have come a long way in supporting our nation’s heroes, but the mission is far from complete. I look forward to continuing the fight by their sides.”
The Facebook video statement can be seen below.
As Action 8 News reported, Ivey said her request comes after alleged mishandling of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) federal grant program by proposing uses of grant funds that would be ineligible under U.S. Treasury rules and regulations and/or state law or policy.
Gov. Ivey said this put in jeopardy the State of Alabama’s ability to fulfill its obligation under ARPA and the agency’s ability to effectively serve veterans.
Ivey also removed John Kilpatrick from his position as a member of the State Board of Veterans Affairs.
Today, the Governor’s’ Office released this statement from her:
“I am disappointed Commissioner Davis did not have the decency to respond and therefore, did not choose to do the right thing for the future of the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs and veterans statewide. I am prepared to take further action.”
Ivey has called a special meeting of the State Board of Veterans’ Affairs for Tuesday, September 10, at 2:30PM to consider the removal of Davis as commissioner of the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs. The Governor’s Office said Ivey has lost confidence in his ability to lead the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs.
In a letter to Davis, Ivey said:
“Of all your important duties, cooperation with your fellow agency heads is perhaps most important because without interagency cooperation and collaboration, our state government simply cannot function. Cooperation and collaboration requires mutual trust. Yet over the years, my office has repeatedly perceived your actions to produce strife and conflict-with my office, with other state executive-branch agencies, with state legislators, and with members of our congressional delegation. This alone constitutes cause for your removal.
“Against this backdrop, your agency’s mishandling of $7 million in ARPA grant funds stands out as particularly problematic. The Department received the bulk of this funding in November 2022 to provide mental health programs for Alabama veterans. Yet it was not until January of this year- just months before a June 1, 2024, deadline to obligate the funds that grant applications were presented to the Board of Veterans’ Affairs for consideration.”
Further information on Ivey’s desire to remove Davis can be found in the letters below.
Letter from Gov. Kay Ivey to Alabama Dept. of Veterans Affairs Kent Davis
