The State Administrative Board will meet today to take up a request by the governor to use $1.2 million in taxpayer money to cover the cost of his legal fees relating to the Flint water crisis.
Democrats, however, say the governor should pay those fees out of his own pocket. And they’re threatening to push the legislature to cut the governor’s office budget by the same amount.
Rick Snyder is facing threats of lawsuits over his role in the Flint water crisis. He says the state doesn’t have enough lawyers to handle the case, so he’s requesting additional money.
Democrats charge the governor’s effort is self-serving and taxpayers should not have to pick up the tab for his legal needs.
Attorney General Bill Schuette, meanwhile, is requesting the same board approve his request for $1.5 million to cover the cost of his investigation into Flint’s lead contaminated water.