Michigan governor seeks $360M for Flint water, infrastructure
US News
Michigan governor seeks $360M for Flint water, infrastructure
Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder on Wednesday proposed spending hundreds of millions of dollars more to address Flint’s water crisis and to update infrastructure, including lead water pipes, in the city and across the state. As protesters rallied against him outside the Capitol hearing room, the Republican governor told lawmakers during his annual budget presentation that resources to address the problems are available due to the state’s improving economy.
Clean drinking water is a human necessity. … The clock is ticking and action is required and would be greatly appreciated.
Snyder
Flint is under a state of emergency until government authorities and independent experts declare the water safe to drink again without filters, which officials have said could happen in the spring. The additional money for Flint also includes funds to help residents with two years of water bills, dating to when the water source was switched to the Flint River in 2014 and improperly treated without anti-corrosion chemicals. Democrats say Snyder’s $360 million plan is short of what is needed to fully reimburse the water portion of people’s water and sewer bills, and city officials want more to replace old pipes.
