'Michigan Matters' Goes One-On-One With Gov. Snyder: On Trump, The Economy, Flint's Water Woes And DPS
Gov. Rick Snyder stopped by CBS 62 studios to provide an update of the past year and answered probing questions from "Michigan Matters" Senior Producer/Host Carol Cain on the biggest stories of 2015.
Snyder talked about Flint's water crisis with reports of lead poisoning after a conversion from Detroit's water system to the Flint River two years ago as a cost saving measure under the watch of an Emergency Manager appointed by the governor.
Snyder said he was waiting for results from a task force he appointed to look at what took place in Flint before saying much about it. But he did say the situation has served as a catalyst for communities across Michigan to look at aging pipelines in homes, schools and public buildings as a safety precaution.
On other issues, the 48th governor gave Flint Mayor Karen Weaver high marks for her performance as leader of the city in the early days of her administration.
Snyder also talked about the state's improving economy, including its automotive sector and the rise of global influence including more manufacturers from China coming to the Motor City.
He discussed Detroit a year after its bankruptcy and said the next challenge would be to help the neighborhoods.
Snyder, a lifelong Republican, known for his relentless positive action mantra, gave a mini-slam to GOP Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump when asked for his thoughts. Trump has caused a firestorm calling for the U.S. borders to be closed to Muslims on the heels of a shooting rampage by two radicals aligned with ISIS in San Bernadino last week that claimed the lives of 14 people .
Closer to home, Snyder-- dubbed the most immigrant friendly governor earlier this year -- is continuing conversations with the Obama administration about Syrian refugees being allowed in this country.
Snyder is among 31 governors who sounded the alarm after the Paris terrorist attacks by ISIS and put a pause on accepting any more Syrian refugees.
Snyder talked about his plans for urban education in Michigan with a focus on Detroit and the controversial EAA.
He will discuss education in his upcoming state of the state speech on Jan 19.
You can hear the entire conversation by watching "Michigan Matters" 11:30 Sunday on CBS 62.