Michigan Congress Passes Bill Allocating $30 Million to Assist Flint Residents

The Michigan Senate and House of Representatives have unanimously voted to pass a bill that will provide Flint residents with $30 million worth of funding to help pay for their water bills.

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder is expected to sign the bill in the coming days.

“The safety and well-being of Flint families remains our top priority,” Gov. Synder said to Reuters reporters.

7 Facts on Flint’s Water Crisis

The multimillion-dollar bill would provide the city’s 100,000 residents with vouchers to cover the costs of their residential water bills between April 2014—when the problem first began—and April 2016. 

This is the latest measure aimed at tackling the ongoing water crisis, which has been plaguing the city’s citizens for nearly two years after government officials switched the city’s water source from Lake Huron to the Flint River in an effort to cut costs. To date, an estimated 8,000 children have been exposed to lead.

Flint Officials Announce $55 Million Plan to Eliminate Lead-Ridden Pipes

Earlier this month, Flint Mayor Karen Weaver announced a $55 million effort that would replace the city’s lead-ridden pipes with copper ones over the next 12 months, and in January, President Obama gave the city $80 million to solve the crisis.

No government officials have been indicted for endangering citizens, though a federal investigation has been launched.