Utah Senator says Flint doesn't need aid, blocks lead bill

[Rob L 3,811]

Of course he would

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2016/03/05/utah-senator-says-flint-doesnt-need-aid-blocks-lead-bill/81359766/

WASHINGTON — A Republican U.S. senator from Utah is holding up a federal funding package worth more than $100 million which could help address the issue of high lead levels found in Flint’s water,saying in a statement on Friday that no federal aid is needed at this time.

U.S. Sen. Mike Lee’s statement, which indicated his belief that the measure proposed by U.S. Sens.Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters, both D-Mich., represented a “federalizing” of water infrastructure, objected to the bill, arguing the state has not directly asked Congress for any emergency spending and has its own surplus to spend if it needs money.

“Michigan has an enormous budget surplus this year and a large rainy-day fund,” Lee said. “Relief and repair efforts are already in the works. The people and policymakers of Michigan right now have all the government resources they need to fix the problem. … The only thing Congress is contributing to the Flint recovery is political grandstanding.”

Stabenow, who worked with Peters for weeks to secure a group of Republican and Democratic cosponsors for the legislation, expressed surprise that Lee has placed a hold on the measure, which effectively keeps the Senate from voting on it, even though it is fully paid for.

“This bill doesn’t increase federal spending by one penny,” said Stabenow, adding that Lee is holding up legislation which could help communities across the country, including those in Utah, and should at least let it come to a vote. Stabenow and Peters say federal funding is needed to replace aging pipes in Flint and other parts of the infrastructure to ensure public safety and restore confidence in the water system in the Michigan city.

Late last month, U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla, the chairman of the SenateEnvironment and Public Works Committee, unveiled the legislation along with Stabenow, Peters and others. It would authorize the federal Drinking Water State Revolving Fund to make up to $100 million in grants between now and October 2017 "to any state that receives an emergency declaration ... to a public health threat from lead or other contaminants in a public drinking water system."

Michigan, on Flint and Genesee County’s behalf, is the only state with such a declaration. But the legislation clearly would allow for funding to be spent on water infrastructure elsewhere. The measure also authorizes $70 million in subsidies which could be used to back more than $700 million in low-interest financing for water infrastructure projects through a newly created fund — some of which could be used in Flint — but which is intended to spark repairs and replacement of aging water systems across the U.S.

The bill also authorizes $50 million for public health — though that funding is not specific to Flint — including $17.5 million to monitor the health effects of lead contamination in municipal water, along with allowing Michigan to use other funding to repay earlier federal loans taken out by Flint for work on its water system.

Peters said he was "disappointed Senator Lee would hold up a vote on this critical legislation that is fully paid for when the people of Flint still do not have access to clean, safe water."

"What’s happening in Flint is a long-term, far-reaching crisis," he said.

Lee, however, saw it as more of a federal power grab to authorize spending across the U.S.

“What’s really happening here is that Washington politicians are using the crisis in Flint as an excuse to funnel taxpayer money to their own home states, and trying to sneak it through the Senate without proper debate and amendment,” he said. “I respectfully object.”

While Lee said, however, that Gov. Rick Snyder hadn’t asked Congress to authorize emergency funds, that misses some of the nuances of the situation in Flint, where a lack of corrosion-control treatment when the city switched to the Flint River in April 2014 allowed lead to leach from aging water pipes.

Gallery: Closer look at Flint's water crisis

Snyder initially requested that President Barack Obama declare a major disaster in Flint and provide more than $700 million for infrastructure repairs to pipes and the water system. But Obama turned down that request because federal law only allows for such declarations in the cases of natural disasters, fires or explosions. Obama declared an emergency, but that typically results in far less federal aid.

Snyder appealed, but it was denied.

“What is happening to the people of Flint, Michigan is a man-made disaster,” Lee said. “Congress has special mechanisms for emergency spending when it is needed. But to date Michigan’s governor has not asked us for any, nor have Michigan’s senators proposed any. Contrary to media reports, there is no federal ‘aid package’ for Flint even being considered.”

[Janelle2002 3,865]

I agree! Why should Americans have access to vasic things such as clean water. Preposterous! I say, let those kids develop 6 eyes and 4 legs from lead poisoning.

[eieio 1,594]

What’s really happening here is that Washington politicians are using the crisis in Flint as an excuse to funnel taxpayer money to their own home states, and trying to sneak it through the Senate without proper debate and amendment,” he said. “I respectfully object.”

I agree.

[Rob L 3,811]

I agree.

And that Senator will go on protesting until his State gets a slice of the pie too

[Ban Hammer 13,622]

But to date Michigan’s governor has not asked us for any, nor have Michigan’s senators proposed any. Contrary to media reports, there is no federal ‘aid package’ for Flint even being considered.”

yet congress not giving michigan money for this is somehow congress's fault?

[Expat1 971]

I agree! Why should Americans have access to vasic things such as clean water. Preposterous! I say, let those kids develop 6 eyes and 4 legs from lead poisoning.

It's a state issue, not a Federal issue.

[Expat1 971]

I agree! Why should Americans have access to vasic things such as clean water. Preposterous! I say, let those kids develop 6 eyes and 4 legs from lead poisoning.

http://michiganradio.org/post/heres-what-drinking-water-pipes-look-and-without-corrosion-control#stream/0

Read it. Democratic party political hacks were put in charge of people's health, violated the primary rule of basic water treatment, and poisoned their electorate. It figures they would blame Washington and bill the taxpayers rather than take responsibility for their bad decisions.

[ready4ONE 5,400]

I agree.

But without the respect, right?

[eieio 1,594]

And that Senator will go on protesting until his State gets a slice of the pie too

Hopefully Trump gets elected and will be able to eliminate some of this abuse. (with respect of course hehe)

[Rob L 3,811]

http://michiganradio.org/post/heres-what-drinking-water-pipes-look-and-without-corrosion-control#stream/0

Read it. Democratic party political hacks were put in charge of people's health, violated the primary rule of basic water treatment, and poisoned their electorate. It figures they would blame Washington and bill the taxpayers rather than take responsibility for their bad decisions.

Do you have anything else, the article does not backup your claim. The facts point clearly to failures with Republican gov appointed agents managing the city and EPA officials who failed at their jobs

Hopefully Trump gets elected and will be able to eliminate some of this abuse. (with respect of course hehe)

You really were sleeping when they covered the constitution in school weren't you?

It's a state issue, not a Federal issue.

Says what law?

[eieio 1,594]

“What is happening to the people of Flint, Michigan is a man-made disaster,” Lee said. “Congress has special mechanisms for emergency spending when it is needed. But to date Michigan’s governor has not asked us for any, nor have Michigan’s senators proposed any. Contrary to media reports, there is no federal ‘aid package’ for Flint even being considered.”

Is it to hard to read the article you posted? The problem is getting fixed.

“Michigan has an enormous budget surplus this year and a large rainy-day fund,” Lee said. “Relief and repair efforts are already in the works. The people and policymakers of Michigan right now have all the government resources they need to fix the problem.

[Expat1 971]

Do you have anything else, the article does not backup your claim. The facts point clearly to failures with Republican gov appointed agents managing the city and EPA officials who failed at their jobs

You really were sleeping when they covered the constitution in school weren't you?

Says what law?

Says the law that set up the Michigan DEQ and equivalent in the other 49 states. You must not know much about environmental permitting and water regulations. I forgot, you thought political science means you can make things, like clean water. There are only like 50 right ways to do it, the selected #51, dump a bunch of chlorine and hope for the best, to save a few million bucks, was only one on the list of wrong ways.

Democrats, starting with the mayor who gave the toast when the water supply was switched over, always try to find that elusive "someone else" to blame for their bad decisions.

EPA regulations require corrosion monitoring and control. The Flint water system had neither. It is the responsibility of the owner/operator to implement it. Those are the rules. Even the state DEQ is not responsible for failure of an owner/operator to implement regulatory guidelines. Nice try but typical for a liberal.

[Rob L 3,811]

yet congress not giving michigan money for this is somehow congress's fault?

The Republican govenor is,asking for help and it is already funded...why not move forward? Edited March 6, 2016 by Rob L

[Expat1 971]

The Republican govenor is,asking for help and it is already funded...why not move forward?

City's bankrupt. That's what happens when democrats run things. Not a federal problem. It's a leadership problem.

Darnell Early who was the emergency manager appointee when the Flint water was switched from Detroit was a natural resources commissioner under Jennifer Granholm. Looks like the Republican Governor's first mistake was putting a democrat in charge doesnt it.

Interestingly enough on 1/20/15 Detroit offered to reconnect to the Flint supply system, at the same rates as the previous year. Flint officials declined. Shame. That's a democratic utopia for you though.

[lostinblue 1,989]

A street near where I live voted to have a water line installed on their street and have it hooked up to a town water system. Everyone is on well water now. The cost was 10,000 per house and like 1500 to hook it from the road to the home Folks on that street had to foot the bill and the water line would be the property of the town . . No one from the federal government said we will pay for that water line . It is a community situation . It should be solved at the local level. Instead of putting in transgender bathrooms in all the schools try solving real problems . ... Like installing new water lines a certain percentage a year over the last 10-15 years. . Democrats squander time ,money ,and resources . This is just a prime example .