ALABAMA (WDNews) – Governor Kay Ivey has called for the removal of W. Kent Davis, Commissioner of the Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA), after he declined her request to resign. In a strongly worded letter, Ivey stated that Davis’s mismanagement of federal ARPA funds, specifically $7 million allocated for veterans’ mental health programs, has raised concerns.
Ivey’s letter included complaints from the Department of Finance and the Department of Mental Health, citing Davis’s failure to collaborate with them regarding grant distributions. One non-profit, Warhawgs, received $114,120 for outdoor activities to aid veterans, while another organization, Military Officers Association of America, was proposed to receive $250,000, with $150,000 dedicated to advocacy, which raised eyebrows as potential lobbying.
In a video statement, Davis disagreed with the governor’s claims, stating that at no point did his actions jeopardize the state’s handling of ARPA funds. Despite this, Gov. Ivey gave him a final deadline of Monday at 5:00 p.m. to respond. Political analyst Steve Flowers noted that Ivey wouldn’t push for removal without cause. The State Board of Veterans Affairs is scheduled to meet Tuesday to consider Davis’s fate.
