Governor Rick Snyder
in his budget presentation allocated a $195 million overall investment for
Flint as it continues to face water issues. The $195 million includes about
$14.1 million in federal funding. In a proposed supplemental, the Governor
gives the Department of Education $17.6 million to address childcare and
nutrition needs in the city with an additional $8 in federal child care
development funds.
The Department of
Environmental Quality receives $63.35 million in General Fund with up to $3.9
million for the Great Lakes Water Authority to pay service costs from July-September.
$30 million will be given to the city of Flint to provide water bill relief for
residential customers and up to $25 million will be allocated for replacement
of lead service lines for high risk, high hazard homes. This $25 million will
serve as a start to pipe replacement. $2.19 million will go to the Department
of Health and Human Services to support food bank resources, evidence-based
home visiting programs, and intensive services and outreach for children. $6.1
million in federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Family’s will be allocated as
well.
The Department of
Natural Resources would get $250,000 to support a limited summer youth
employment program and the Department of Technology, Management, and Budget
would get $50 million General Fund for deposit into a Flint Emergency Reserve
Fund. Finally, a School Aid Fund supplemental provides $9.2 million General
Fund for the assessment of children under age 4 for symptoms of lead exposure
and an expansion of Early On services for any child in need.
Flint Mayor Karen
Weaver outlined a plan for an estimated $55 million in public works project to
replace the lead service lines. The Lansing Board of Water and Light and public
works staff have already removed 13,500 lead pipes in Lansing over the last 12
years for $42 million, and Weaver is hoping the same could be done in Flint. The
state has also created 10 “Sentinel Site” teams to inform citizens on testing
their water. The teams consist of representatives from the DEQ alongside
licensed plumbers.
As news has been
released that the state was aware of an outbreak of Legionnaire’s disease
months before the crisis, the blame has been shifting between the Genesee
County Health Department and the state’s Department of Health and Human
Services for not informing the public sooner. The DHHS has shouldered much of
the criticism, but released emails between the DHHS and GCHD showing a lack of
communication and frustration from department epidemiologists in the county’s
slow action. The county and state’s lack of an announcement to the public
regarding the outbreak is also of concern.
Lastly, another
lawsuit has been filed against the Governor seeking damages due to the Flint
crisis. There are four other lawsuits currently moving at both federal and state
courts.