Insider Intelligence

On Monday, Governor Rick Snyder released his seventy five point action plan for the City of Flint.  The proposal focuses on improving public health, repairing infrastructure, supporting educational services, and creating more and better jobs.  Several departments within state government are working together to implement the plan, including the Department of Education, the Department of […]

Last Friday, Governor Rick Snyder called for an immediate and full joint investigation of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) by the state’s Auditor General and the DHHS Inspector General, to be completed as soon as possible.  The investigation will look at the way the department handled public health issues related to […]

This week, two Flint area legislators, Representative Phil Phelps (D-Flushing) and Representative Sheldon Neeley (D-Flint), announced a four-bill package addressing concerns stemming from the Flint water crisis.  Representative Phelps’ bills would institute an emergency response plan to set clear guidelines to mobilize in the event of a water crisis.  The bills also requires the Department […]

On Thursday, Governor Rick Snyder submitted an appeal to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for assistance denied under the original request for emergency.  The governor is requesting funding from the Category B program for emergency protective measures and the Individuals and Household Program, saying the response to the Flint water crisis requires a continued […]

Last Friday, Governor Rick Snyder signed a $30 million supplemental appropriation, which provides water bill credits to Flint residents.  The credits provided will be for the portion of their water bill used for drinking, bathing, and cooking.  However, residents are responsible for the sewer portion of the bill.  Credit amounts will reflect rates paid at […]

This week the creation of the Joint Committee on the Flint Water Public Health Emergency was announced.  The new committee is tasked with reviewing the findings surrrounding the Flint water crisis, taking testimony on the mistakes at all levels of government, and exploring potential policy solutions to prevent a similar disaster in the future. Dates […]

On Thursday, the U.S. House Oversight and Government Reforms Committee announced two upcoming hearing dates related to the Flint water crisis.  On March 15 at 10 a.m., the committee will hear testimony from former Flint Emergency Manager Darnell Earley, former Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator Susan Hedman, and Virginia Tech researcher Marc Edwards.  Two days […]

On Thursday, the House passed a Senate bill providing a $30 million supplemental appropriation to provide relief for Flint residents on their water bills.  A residential customer would be eligible for 65% of the amount billed for water from April 30, 2014 through April 14, 2016 when the current emergency declaration expires.  Commercial customers would […]