MI Congressional representatives, past and present: on Environment

Brenda Lawrence: Flint water crisis is example of environmental injustice

A: The State of Michigan demonstrated repeated failures on every level in response to the Flint water crisis, and unfortunately, continue to do so. The Governor failed to act when he was made aware of the situation and has continued to fail to lead in resolving the crisis. Flint continues to have unsafe water. The situation is a clear example of environmental injustice. It also demonstrated the ill-conceived concept of Emergency Financial Managers, and what the human cost can be when purporting to govern by spreadsheet.

Q: Should Congress provide funding to help Flint?

A: Unfortunately, the federal government involvement in the initial stages which was to oversee and consult with MDEQ was unacceptable as well. When we are interpreting regulations for action or inaction and not taking into consideration the consequences to human life we are failing.

Marcia Squier: Federal funding for Flint; and prosecution for poisoning too

A: Poor. I believe that more individuals need to be held accountable for the poisoning of an entire region. Strict precedence needs to be set here in Michigan because similar issues like this are popping up all over the country, and the people need to rest assured that they come first and foremost in the law of the land. I also believe that the water-line infrastructure needs to be completely overhauled, and that the residents of Flint should not only receive clean water, but they should also receive automatic, full-coverage health insurance, and a living expense stipend or relocation expenses.

Q: Should Congress provide funding to help Flint?

A: Yes, Congress should provide funding to help Flint and other cities across the U.S. to eliminate lead service lines. If elected, I will vote in favor of federal funding of this critical issue. It is our obligation and duty to take care of our own.