$80 Million In Federal Funds Heading To State Of Michigan For Flint
DETROIT (CBS Detroit) - President Obama says $80 million in federal funds is on the way to address the water crisis in Flint, Michigan.
"The administration is still holding fast at this was a man-made issue, not an act of God, but the fact that the governor asked for $96 million under the disaster declaration -- this is more than half a loaf and I'm sure this is something that the governor will welcome with open arms," said WWJ's Lansing Bureau Chief Tim Skubick.
But is it enough money to solve the problem?
The long-term infrastructure fix in Flint, the possibility of completely replacing all of the water pipes in Flint will be an astronomical cost - it could be $1.5 billion dollars or in that neighborhood - right now the governor's strategy is to re-coat those pipes -- with fingers crossed that it will take care of the corrosion problem -- so that the water coming out of the taps in Flint will be safe to drink says Skubick.
This week, lawmakers in the Michigan House approved $28 million in funds for Flint. Skubick says the Senate is expected to vote to approve it next week.