Gov. Kay Ivey announced Thursday that state offices will be closed on Friday, June 18, to recognize the newly created federal holiday for Juneteenth, reported WKRG. The House voted 415-14 Wednesday to make Juneteenth, or June 19th, the 12th federal holiday. President Joe Biden signed the bill today.
Jim Zeigler is opposed to the declaration by Ivey, saying it’s “political game-playing at its worst.” Ivey made a proclamation recognizing Juneteenth last week, on June 10, stating it was to “recognize the painful origins of this significant day and to promote healing and unity.”
Juneteenth is Saturday, June 19, a day that state workers already have off, Zeigler argues. He also stated that the cost alone would be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars and that only the Alabama Legislature has the authority to declare state holidays.
Zeigler stated, “This is a most un-businesslike way to run a state government. The Ivey move was totally political to get brownie points with state workers.”
