Michigan Legislature OKs $28M To Address Flint Water Crisis
LANSING (WWJ/AP) - The Michigan Legislature has unanimously approved $28 million in additional funding to address the lead contamination of Flint's water.
The emergency spending bill includes money for more bottled water and filters and services to monitor for developmental delays in young children.
WWJ Lansing Bureau Chief Tim Skubick says $15 million will go to the city's public health department, "For such services as case management for individuals who are at risk for elevated lead levels, nutrition support, food banks, community education, child and adolescent health centers, children's health care access programs and assessment of linkage to any other diseases; in addition to food inspections, crisis counseling and behavioral health services."
"In other words, they are covering the waterfront with this money to try to address that problem in Flint," Skubick said.
The funds also will help the city with unpaid water bills and cover testing, monitoring and other costs.
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It is the second round of state funding allocated since the lead contamination was confirmed in the fall.
State regulators permitted Flint to not treat water for corrosion after the city switched its supply in 2014. That allowed lead from old pipes to leach into the water.
The measure now goes to Gov. Rick Snyder, who is expected to sign it.
The governor, meantime, has promised to set aside more funding for Flint in his upcoming budget proposal.
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