Obama hosts mayor of United States city at center of water crisis

The crisis began in 2014 when a state-appointed emergency manager switched Flint from Detroit water to Flint River water to save money.

In addition, a request has been made to MI legislature for immediate, short-term funding for: replacement of fixtures in schools, daycare and hospitals; treatment of children with high lead levels, including diagnostic testing, nurse visits and environmental assessments; child and adolescent health centers and additional support for children’s health care access; an infrastructure integrity study for pipes and connections, using outside experts; and providing aid to the city for utilities.

Appealing President Barack Obama’s refusal to declare a federal disaster in Flint after Snyder declared a federal emergency on Saturday.

“I hope any people that watched the governor saw what I did, which is a very honest and heartfelt apology”, said State House Speaker Kevin Cotter.

“When we watch stuff like this, it just makes you laugh and sit back and shake your head”, Flint resident Eric Weststrock said.

The big fix for Flint is replacing lead water lines underground.

Civil rights activist Rev. Jesse Jackson slammed the toxic water contamination in Flint, Michigan, on Tuesday as a crime against humanity.

“It’s a large number, but when you look at some of the details, you should have a lot more money for nutrition, a lot more money for early on services”, said Sen.

The state is responsible for the water woes Flint residents have suffered and continue to suffer as a result, and the only responsible thing the state can do is own up to it, said Michael Pitt, one of the attorneys who filed a suit.

But the water in the new system was not treated properly, and so lead leached into it from the old pipes.

“Last week, I joined Senator Stabenow and Congressman Kildee in calling on the State to commit vital resources to help the children of Flint by establishing a “Future Fund” to meet the cognitive, behavioral and health challenges they will face in the coming years”. Many of his other priorities – except the mounting financial problems in Detroit’s state-overseen school district – were shelved from the speech due to the crisis.

Angered residents have called on Snyder to resign, but the governor has said he wants to stay on and fix the problem. He blamed leader in the state’s Department of Environmental Quality and Health and Human Services for failing to recognize the scope of the contamination, and failing to let him know about it.

January 16, 2016 – Federal government intervened when President Obama declared a federal state of emergency. Flint returned to the Detroit system in October after elevated lead levels were discovered in children.

In addition, Democrats also cast doubts on Snyder’s promise to release his emails relating to the Flint water crisis.

Rick Snyder thought he’d calm fears and win over residents when he addressed the current water crisis in Flint, he was mistaken.

During Sunday’s debate, Clinton said “every single American should be outraged” by the water crisis, adding that “if the kids in a rich suburb of Detroit had been drinking contaminated water and being bathed in it, there would have been action”.