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Flint Mayor challenges state to step up

Posted at 12:06 PM, Jan 27, 2016
and last updated 2021-01-14 16:00:06-05

In a brief, yet stern, statement - Flint Mayor Karen Weaver challenged the state to step up in the Flint water crisis.

Mayor Weaver spoke during a scheduled press conference Wednesday morning, and was joined by a number of officials, including Governor Snyder.

She announced that Virginia Tech Scientist Mark Edwards has been retained by the city of Flint. He will oversee all water testing done by the state and federal government. Edwards will also report directly to the mayor, and is funded by private donations.

Mayor Weaver also stated that she told Governor Snyder that Flint residents should not have to pay for water "they have not, and are not using."

In response to that request, Governor set aside $3 million in his supplemental budget request to address the issue.

"I was glad that the governor says these are just first steps, because I'm asking for a staircase--we need more, we want more." 

She noted in her statement that there was much more to be done.

"I appreciate the federal government stepping up, but this does not replace the state stepping up and giving the funds for our residents to fix this issue," Weaver said.