LANSING, Mich. – Governor Rick Snyder has signed off on legislation which will provide $30 million to help pay Flint residents' water bills in the aftermath of the city's lead-contamination crisis.
The Michigan Senate approved the measure earlier this week after the House unanimously approved the measure last week. With the Senate's approval, Gov. Rick Snyder, who first pushed for this measure, gave his final approval.
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Snyder said Tuesday this brings total emergency funding for Flint by the state of Michigan to $70 million.
“The Legislature’s approval of this $30 million plan to assist with Flint residents with water bills is a testament to the state’s continued commitment to helping during this crisis. I thank my partners in the House and Senate for their unanimous support and swift action," Snyder said in a statement.
Residents would have about 65 percent of the drinkable water portion of their bills paid by the state. Residential customers would still have to pay for water used to flush toilets or do laundry.
The city's supply was switched from Detroit water to the Flint River in 2014. For 18 months, Flint used the Flint River for drinking water without proper corrosion control, which caused lead to leach from the pipes into the water supply. If consumed, lead can cause developmental delays and learning disabilities in children.
Gov. Rick Snyder said the assistance would provide a credit for the estimated portion of residential customers' utility bills for water that has been or will be used for drinking, cooking or bathing from 2014 until this spring, when officials hope the water is declared safe to drink again without a filter.
“Flint residents should not have to pay for water they cannot drink. I have continually said that the crisis will be solved by everyone coming together with solutions, and I would like to thank the Legislature for being a strong partner on getting immediate funding for recovery to the city,” Snyder said. “Politicizing this issue has not yet delivered any solutions for Flint’s families, but with passage of today’s $30 million, Michigan lawmakers have helped to aid Flint residents with nearly $70 million in state funding in the past four months. The Legislature’s continuing support demonstrates the positive results that come from putting people above politics.”
Some Democrats say the state should pay for more than 65 percent of residents' bills. In earlier committee meetings and in the Senate, Democrats offered amendments to double the figure to $60 million. But those amendments were rejected by the Republican-controlled Legislature.
Snyder also has said he's hopeful that the federal government will expand Medicaid coverage to people under 21 and pregnant women who have been exposed to Flint's water. Snyder has said about 15,000 more Flint residents would benefit if the government approves the request.