Lawmakers Call for Citizen Oversight of Air, Water Quality
Mary Kuhlman, Managing Editor
Thursday, February 25, 2016
LANSING, Mich. – Given the water crisis in Flint and air quality troubles in Detroit, some state leaders want to ensure the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality is working for the people.
Along with several other lawmakers, Democratic Rep. Stephanie Chang on Wednesday announced a package of bills to bring back citizen oversight commissions for air and water quality.
Chang says citizens she's spoken with feel their voices are not being heard.
"Residents feel like they're going to hearing after hearing and not getting the results that they need and that it's just a process of rubber stamping and not really focused on environmental protection,” she states.
Despite worries from critics that it would limit citizen oversight, Gov. John Engler eliminated the commissions in 1991 by as part of sweeping government restructuring.
Chang says the proposed bills would establish a water quality commission and an air quality commission to oversee permitting, rule making and complaints.
Chang explains the commissions would include representation from the public, health professions, environmental organizations, the Department of Environmental Quality and industry.
"We want to make sure that it's a balanced commission so that there are multiple views represented and so it truly reflects the people of Michigan and what their concerns are," she stresses.
Other lawmakers involved in the legislation include Reps. Sheldon Neeley (D-Flint) and Phil Phelps (D-Flushing), as well as Sens. Jim Ananich (D-Flint) and Hoon-Yung Hopgood (D-Taylor).
get more stories like this via email
Health and Wellness
Missouri residents are worried about future access to birth control. The latest survey from The Right Time, an initiative based in Missouri…
Social Issues
Wisconsin children from low-income families are now on track to get nutritious foods over the summer. Federal officials have approved the Badger …
Social Issues
Almost 2,900 people are unsheltered on any given night in the Beehive State. Gov. Spencer Cox is celebrating signing nine bills he says are geared …
Environment
New York's Legislature is considering a bill to get clean-energy projects connected to the grid faster. It's called the RAPID Act, for "Renewable …
Social Issues
Earlier this month, a new Arizona Public Service rate hike went into effect and one senior advocacy group said those on a fixed income may struggle …
Social Issues
Michigan recently implemented a significant juvenile justice reform package following recommendations from a task force made up of prosecutors…