Snyder Apologizes To People Of Flint During State Of The State Address

State Sen. Bert Johnson, D-Highland Park, was pointed in his critique of Snyder, calling him “scripted” in an address that was “too little, too late” to restore trust with the people of MI.

In his sixth state of the state address, Snyder devoted half his speech to the water crisis in Flint.

Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz says the drinking water crisis in Flint is a “travesty” and represents “a failure at every level of government”. A year ago, he was just-reelected to a second-term, pondering a bid for the presidency, and basking in the apparent success of Detroit’s exit from bankruptcy.

A visibly emotional Governor Snyder told Flint residents fixing that is a responsibility he takes personally.

President Barack Obama met on Tuesday with Flint Mayor Karen Weaver to discuss the issues and reiterated that his administration would support state and local officials. On Saturday, the president did sign an emergency declaration for Flint, clearing the way for the city to receive federal aid.

Leafi, sporting a knit hat that simply read ‘Flint, ‘ made the drive from there for Tuesday night’s rally. He announced the deployment of roughly 130 more National Guard members to the city and promised to quickly release his emails regarding the crisis that has engulfed his administration with criticism from across the country. “The most relevant piece is for me to step up and say here are my personal e-mails, not only the ones I sent, but the ones I received”.

He also issued a heartfelt apology: “You deserve better. You deserve to know the buck stops here with me”. I want to tell you that you are not alone.

– $100,000 for the Michigan State Police to pay for the Flint Water Interagency Coordinating Committee.

Below, watch the portion of the governor’s address dealing with the Flint water crisis.

Protesters in the state capital of Lansing ahead of the speech Tuesday placed the blame squarely on Snyder, and said the town’s appointed emergency manager put the budget over the health of the town’s children.

Residents said they are fed up with politicians talking.

Governor Snyder: “Well again I’m not jumping to conclusions because I’m staying focused on the solution now”.

The supplemental funding would be in addition to the $9.3 million lawmakers approved in October to move the city back to Detroit’s water system, provide for DEQ to test drinking water samples, allow the Department of Health and Human Services to purchase and distribute water filters, and fund state plumbing inspections for schools and health facilities.

The House Appropriations Committee is expected to take up the appropriation request on Wednesday.

He himself has acknowledged it’s been a “disaster” but says he’s doing all he can to fix it.

A state of emergency has been declared on the local, state and federal levels because of the contamination, and several class action lawsuits have been filed against the state for its slow response to the crises.

Corrosive water in the River Flint caused more lead to leach from Flint pipes than Detroit water did. Elevated blood-lead levels were found in two city zip codes. Snyder said he would request long-term health monitoring of children and others who may have been exposed.