LANSING – Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit) has issued the following statement regarding the American Civil Liberties Union’s (ACLU) petition to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to stop Detroit’s dangerous water shutoff crisis:
“I am grateful to the ACLU and its partners for seeking state intervention in the ongoing water shutoff crisis. Water is a human right and Michiganders have been asking for a water affordability plan for far too long. It’s time to substantively address this issue by ending water shutoffs and instituting water affordability measures. The inability of residents to have access to clean and affordable drinking water is both morally and fiscally irresponsible. It is my hope this action by the ACLU and many others will bring broader attention and, more importantly, progress toward fair and just solutions for the Great Lakes state.”
Sen. Chang has introduced legislation (Senate Bill 241) to help families address issues of water affordability and billing, as well as co-sponsored legislation promoting the importance of water access to health and public safety (Senate Bills 242 and 243). The bills were referred to the Senate Environmental Quality Committee.
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