Credit steve carmody / Michigan Radio
It will be another week before a federal judge expects to decide whether to give preliminary approval to a massive settlement of Flint water crisis related lawsuits.
During a brief hearing Wednesday, U.S. District Court Judge Judith Levy said she may need until January 21 to complete her written ruling. She had originally hoped to have her decision ready by the end of this week.
It’s an important step in the $641 million settlement between the state of Michigan, the city of Flint and others being sued by Flint residents over health and property damages sustained during the water crisis.
Steve Carmody / Michigan Radio
Some Flint civic leaders says city residents deserve more than what they are likely to get from a $641 million settlement tied to the Flint water crisis.
Attorneys for the state of Michigan, the city of Flint, McLaren Hospital Flint and a local engineering firm worked with lawyers representing thousands of city residents to hammer out the tentative settlement of many civil lawsuits tied to the Flint water crisis.
A part of the settlement, nearly 80% of the money would be earmarked for children and minors during Flint’s disastrous drinking water switch in 2014 and 2015. The switch resulted in improperly treated river water damaging pipes and releasing lead into the city’s drinking water. Young children are especially at-risk of suffering long-term negative cognitive development and other health issues from high lead exposure.
Gov. Whitmer signs bills approving $600M from state for Flint water settlement
Updated Dec 30, 2020;
Facebook Share
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a bipartisan package of bills Wednesday approving the state’s $600 million portion of the Flint water crisis settlement.
The proposed agreement would settle more than 100 civil lawsuits filed on behalf of thousands of Flint residents, who claim damages related to the city’s lead water disaster. The two bills create the Flint Settlement Trust Fund in the Michigan Department of Treasury and allows the Michigan Strategic Fund to borrow to fund the trust.
“What happened in Flint should never have happened,” Whitmer said Wednesday, in a written statement announcing the signing. “While this settlement will never be enough to compensate for what happened, it is a major step toward helping the people of Flint heal.”
Judge to decide whether to approve proposed $600 borrowing plan for Flint water settlement
Michigan legislators on Wednesday finalized a plan to borrow $600 million to finance the stateâs proposed settlement with the residents of Flint, whose water was contaminated with elevated levels of the neurotoxin lead.
By: Associated Press
and last updated 2020-12-21 06:23:00-05
Michigan legislators on Wednesday finalized a plan to borrow $600 million to finance the stateâs proposed settlement with the residents of Flint, whose water was contaminated with elevated levels of the neurotoxin lead.
A public hearing will be held on Monday afternoon in federal court as U.S. District Court Judge Judith Levy will decide whether or not to preliminary approve the proposed settlement.
Federal judge says she will meet for days if necessary to hear from residents about Flint water settlement
Updated Dec 21, 2020;
Posted Dec 21, 2020
The Flint water plant, as seen on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2020 in Flint. (Jake May | MLive.com)Jake May | Mlive.com
Facebook Share
FLINT, MI A federal judge heard early defenses and criticism of a proposed settlement of Flint water crisis lawsuits Monday, Dec. 21, and told Flint residents she will take as long as necessary to hear any comments they have before giving final approval to the deal even if their testimony takes several days to complete.
“I will issue a written decision in January (on whether to give preliminary approval to the proposed settlement),” U.S. District Court Judge Judith Levy said during Monday’s hearing. “If approved, there will be an opportunity for anyone who could be a claimant under the agreement to attend a future hearing and be heard. If that hearing takes two or three or more days, that is how