Obama tours auto show, pledges help for Flint’s water crisis

But the president’s successful bailout of American carmakers and the subsequent revival of Michigan’s most important industry was eclipsed by a nearby civic emergency: a water crisis in Flint that has threatened the health of tens of thousands of people.

“I know that if I was a parent up there, I would be beside myself that my kid’s health could be at risk”, he said. The president said that’s why he signed an emergency in Flint, freeing up $5 million in federal resources for the city. “It is a reminder of why you can’t shortchange basic services that we provide to people”.

Obama, during an interview in Detroit with CBS set to air later this week, said he understands why Flint residents are outraged.

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder asked Obama on Wednesday to reconsider his denial of a federal disaster declaration to address the drinking water crisis, saying its severity poses an “imminent and long-term threat” to residents.

“We will not stop working for the people of Flint until every person has clean water, every single day, no matter what”, the governor said.

The president spent almost an hour at the auto show, looking at crash avoidance technology from ZF TRW and sitting in a 2017 Chevy Bolt EV, an all-electric vehicle that will be available late this year.

Under a state-appointed emergency manager, the city switched to the river water from the Detroit water system’s Lake Huron in April 2014 when it protested what it considered the city of Detroit’s expensive water rates.

In October, testing revealed increased lead levels in water supplies and in children’s blood.

The White House said that Obama reiterated to Weaver that his administration will continue to support state and local officials in their response. He also looked at a new Chrysler Pacifica minivan.

He says rescuing the USA auto industry and saving jobs during a recession needed to be done.

Obama, in an interview set to air on CBS Sunday Morning, told host Lee Cowan that government in MI “broke down” in its responsibility to protect public health and safety.

Most Americans opposed providing a second round of government aid.