Senate Minority Leader Calls for Emergency Funding for Flint Water Crisis

The Democratic leader in the Michigan Senate is calling for emergency funding to address the Flint water crisis.

Senator Jim Ananich, who represents Flint, says he wants a transfer of available funding in the current budget to departments that can distribute and install water filters to every family in the city of Flint.

He says it’s hard to put a dollar amount on the money needed because the effects of lead may not be felt until years down the road.

According to state health officials, those effects could include learning disabilities and behavioral challenges in children.

Ananich says he also plans to draft a supplemental budget bill to expand existing health and educational programs, speed up infrastructure improvements, and provide access to nutritious foods and the Great Start and Early On programs.