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News > Latin America

Michigan Governor Refuses to Testify About Flint Water Crisis

  • Michigan Governor Rick Snyder holds a rebate check for US$1.2 million dollars to hand to Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, Detroit, on Dec. 10, 2014.

    Michigan Governor Rick Snyder holds a rebate check for US$1.2 million dollars to hand to Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, Detroit, on Dec. 10, 2014. | Photo: Reuters

Published 8 February 2016
Opinion

Flint's water remains tainted with lead two years after the town switched its water supply source.

Michigan's Republican Governor Rick Snyder on Monday turned down an invitation to testify before a Washington, D.C., committee on the Flint water crisis, claiming he already has plans.

Despite pressure to come clean about Flint's tainted water supply, Snyder declined the invitation to appear in front of the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, scheduled for Feb. 10, much to the disappointment of local Democrats.

“His administration's policies led to this man-made crisis, and he needs to answer questions so that the whole truth can be found,” said Democrat Representative Dan Kildee. “Flint families deserve answers and immediate solutions from the state about what is being done to make things right for the people of Flint.”

Snyder won’t be attending the meeting entitled, “The Flint Water Crisis: Lessons for Protecting America’s Children,” as he plans to present his fiscal year 2017 budget in Lansing the same day, according to his deputy press secretary.

The governor was not invited to testify before a congressional hearing held Feb. 3, where Michigan Department of Environmental Quality Director Keith Creagh and Virginia Tech professor Marc Edwards were questioned by lawmakers.

Snyder’s administration is responsible for the disastrous decision that resulted in Flint's water supply being contaminated with lead, the result of switching its supply source in April 2014. Many residents now have to use filters before consuming water in their homes.

As teleSUR reported last week, the Republican governor has proposed a compensation package, passed by Michigan’s senate, that will see locals reimbursed for some of their past water bills.

However, under the proposed legislation customers would still have to fork out for water used to flush toilets, water lawns and wash clothes.

The proposed US$30 million compensation pact has been roundly criticized by Democrats, who say residents should retrieve all of the money they have outlaid for water since the water supply source was changed.

Consuming lead can be particularly harmful to the developing brains of fetuses and young children, with effects ranging from learning difficulties to behavioral issues and convulsions.

WATCH: Undocumented Residents Fear Collecting Clean Water in Flint

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