“The issue now is we have citizens in need”. Flint has been in a state of emergency for over a month after researchers linked the city’s poisoned drinking-water supply to health problems like elevated lead levels in children’s blood and an uptick in Legionnaire’s disease.
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“A lot of people think that’s a lot of money”, Kildee said. Higher fuel taxes and vehicles registration fees will begin in 2017, boosting dedicated revenue by more than $500 million in the fiscal year that will start in October. In 2014, Flint ceased to utilize treated water from Detroit and moved to the Flint River to save money.
Officials from the embattled city of Flint, Michigan, testified to Democratic congressional leaders on Wednesday to reiterate their call for urgent upgrades to the midwestern city’s basic services.
The governor was also asked about the ongoing investigations into the crisis.
State officials in MI did not tell the EPA’s Midwest regional everything they knew about Flint, and the regional office did not share everything it knew with EPA headquarters in Washington, Upton said. Schuette, whose office is both investigating the crisis and representing Snyder in the civil cases, refused on Tuesday to discuss the subpoena and its potential impact to the state’s investigation, citing an “ironclad” wall between the investigation and civil lawsuits he says his office has established.
Kildee and other House Democrats said White House budget director Shaun Donovan signaled support for the measure at a closed-door meeting Wednesday.
Children with minor lead exposure can have developmental delays, lowered IQs and behavioral problems that require additional educational services. Weaver, according to the Detroit Free Press, is trying to stay focused on making the city’s water supply safe again. President Barack Obama declared an emergency in Flint on January 16, 2016.
A spokesman for Snyder, who has apologized for his administration’s role in the disaster, says the $25 million for pipe replacement in Flint is a starting point and could grow once a full analysis is done.
Schools and other places around Flint where people can rely on bottled water will be tackled during the second phase.
News that Gov. Snyder requested that this information not be shared with health officials until after the press conference came from a FOIAed email sent by Henry to a colleague.
The Flint River is pictured in downtown Flint, Mich., on February 4.
Following the visit the health center, Clinton met with plumbers from the UA Local 370 who have been replacing faucets, delivering water and installing water filters in Flint homes.
Susan Hedman, the EPA’s former regional chief, voiced concern to state and city officials over the next few months.
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Croft says it was made a decision to wait for more data before choosing a lead-control method. “And I hope it doesn’t take as long as they predicted”, said Lilly.
