Flint stopped using treated water from Detroit and switched to the Flint River in 2014 to save money when the city was under state emergency financial management, an interim measure while a new pipeline to Lake Huron is built. Gen. Michael McDaniel, who is aiding Weaver in the Fast Start plan, thinks all of the pipes can be replaced over the next year “under optimal conditions”.
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Flint’s water troubles, concerns about other aging water infrastructure and the Detroit school’s district dire financial outlook – it needs a $720 million infusion of cash over a decade to avoid bankruptcy, according to Snyder aides – overshadowed a one-time budget surplus and more nuts-and-bolts budget details this year, such as funding for education, municipalities and workforce development.
The $195 million for Flint and $165 million for statewide infrastructure needs were detailed in the Republican governor’s annual $54.9 billion budget presentation to the GOP-led Legislature. Upton said the committee would examine what flexibility is available to a state under the Safe Drinking Water Act to use federal drinking water infrastructure funds to address public health emergencies, such as the one experienced in Flint.
Yes. Experts say the problem could potentially have been avoided by simply adding phosphorous to the water.
Today, House Democrats in Washington will hold a hearing on the ongoing water crisis in Flint.
Kildee said President Barack Obama’s budget director, Shaun Donovan, signaled support for his efforts at a closed-door meeting Wednesday with House Democrats. “It’s an opportunity to help people, and we want to help people”, he said.
“What she did share with me was interesting – that there have been numerous complaints about the Flint water, that the governor’s office had been involved, and that any announcement by public health about the quality of the water would certainly inflame the situation”, Bohm wrote. Many were Flint residents chanting things like, “Snyder’s got to go” and “fix the pipes”. Researchers at nearby Hurley Children’s Hospital have identified a “rise in blood lead levels of children less than 5 years old” who live in the area.
“You could also describe it as genocide, to me”, says 36-year-old Keysa Smith, another vendor at the market.
“We don’t even know where all the lead pipes are”.
“It’s too late to help the people of Flint, but it can help avoid the next Flint perhaps”, he said. No more arguing about whose responsibility it is, while families continue drinking water that we know isn’t safe.
Flint resident Marcy Lilly, who was living in Kentucky, and chose to move back to her hometown in November said she’s regretted the decision. His plan calls for increased programming for preschoolers, more school nurses, lead abatement programs in Flint homes and money to help Flint residents pay their water bills.
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“At the very least we need methodical removal of all lead service lines and funding to removal of these lines has to become a national priority …”
