Michigan Senate OKs $30 Million To Partially Cover Flint Water Bills
LANSING (WWJ/AP) - The Michigan Senate has approved $30 million that will be used to pay water bills in Flint.
The money will allow residents to keep their water service on, but eliminate the need to pay for water they cannot drink.
WWJ's Lansing Bureau Chief Tim Skubick says there was some debate as to what should be included in this legislation.
"There were attempts by the Democrats to add more money to this bill to deal with the lead contamination in the children, but that was turned down by the Republicans who said they would address that in other budget bills," Skubick reported.
The $30 million request, approved 37-0, now goes to the State House where Skubick said it is expected to pass.
Flint residents should expect, if this passes, to receive a credit that will cover a portion of their water bill. Majority Republicans rejected Democrats' calls to double the appropriation to $60 million so residents would be fully credited for their bills.
The city's water became contaminated when Flint switched from the Detroit water system to the Flint River as a cost-cutting move. The corrosive water lacked adequate treatment and caused lead to leach from old pipes. The city has since been reconnected to Detroit water,
This latest comes after lawmakers last month approved spending $28 million for more bottled water and filters and services to monitor for developmental delays in young children.
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