Michigan governor asks Obama for federal aid in Flint water crisis

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

US | Fri Jan 15, 2016 10:08am EST

Michigan governor asks Obama for federal aid in Flint water crisis

DETROIT | BY BEN KLAYMAN

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder said he asked President Barack Obama to declare both an emergency and an expedited major disaster in the county where the city of Flint has been dealing with the fallout from lead-contaminated drinking water.

Snyder said in a statement released shortly before midnight on Thursday that he requested federal aid in Genesee County to protect the safety of Flint residents. Earlier this week, he sent the Michigan National Guard to distribute bottled water and other supplies to residents.

The financially strapped city was under control of a state-appointed emergency manager when it switched its source of tap water from Detroit's system to the nearby Flint River in April 2014 to save money.

Flint, which is about 60 miles (100 km) northwest of Detroit, returned to using that city's water in October after tests found elevated levels of lead in the water and in the blood of some children.

The more corrosive water from the Flint River leached lead from the city pipes more than Detroit water did, leading to the problems.

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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-michigan-water-idUSKCN0UT1MG

[lapfog_1]

1. I would tell them no

the state created this crisis, the state can fix it AND pay for the damages (billions perhaps).

Maybe the voters there will finally realize that electing right wing "privatize everything" republicans is not the answer.

[cutroot]

2. Flint is a Democratic city

In a heavily gerrymandered red state. The republicans created this crisis. They like to privatize the profit and socialize the debt.

[lapfog_1]

3. yes, it was the state who put a "manager" in charge of Flint.

they should pay for the mistake.

[cutroot]

4. It was the republican governor himself

They removed the duly elected representatives of the city

[Wellstone ruled]

9. Another Rethug F----up

and blame the Kenyan in their White House,and when you screw things up and create a Health Disaster in a major city,well,just call that same Kenyan in their White House in the middle of the night,so Fake Noise or any other Right Wing News outlet don't get wind of what you are doing,and go please Mr. President,come bail our asses out.

[Hortensis]

5. How about we help but require Michigan

to pay us back? It should be noted, though, that Michigan is a net payer state, for instance getting back about $0.89 for each income tax dollar sent to Washington in 2015. Just the same, it'd be bad policy not to require the people of a state to pay for their atrocities themselves.

(Don't be offended, Michiganers. I'm not really feeling all that superior down here in Georgia.)

[JudyM]

7. Well worded: they want to "privatize the profit and socialize the debt."

That's exactly what our party platform should hit over and over... It's "sticky" as a way to capture the concept that may be too esoteric for a lot of busy working voters.

[fredamae]

6. "Aide" MI with Putting Him in Prison! n/t

[Iggo]

8. He should be asking from a jail cell. (n/t)

[saturnsring]

10. Not without the gov and the city "manager " going to jaIL

[saturnsring]

11. so call your congress critter and tell them to vote no on any relief package?

[saturnsring]

12. he White House said on Friday it would consider Snyder's request, which was being reviewed by FEMA.

he White House said on Friday it would consider Snyder's request, which was being reviewed by FEMA. A FEMA spokesman said the agency will give its recommendation to the president as soon as possible.