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Emergency aid going to Flint

Gov. faces more water questions

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder signed into law $28 million more in emergency funding on Friday to address Flint’s lead-contaminated water, and said he didn’t know some state workers in the city had received bottled water last year while officials were still telling residents that tap water was safe to drink.

It’s the second round of state aid for the city since the crisis was confirmed in the fall, bringing the total allocated to nearly $39 million. The Republican governor said the funding will provide immediate resources in Flint, but is not the end of state assistance.

Improperly treated water leached lead from pipes into drinking water after Flint switched from Detroit’s water system to the Flint River in 2014 to save money while under state financial management. Some children’s blood has tested positive for lead, which has been linked to learning disabilities, lower IQ and behavioral problems. Flint has reconnected to Detroit’s system for now.

“It’s time to stand up and recognize that things could have been done differently,” Snyder said. “Mistakes were made. ... We’re going to solve them.”

Snyder has accepted responsibility for the emergency while also blaming state and federal environmental regulators, some of whom have resigned or have been suspended. But he remains the target of criticism, including long-shot efforts to recall him.

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