house Resolution No.56

Reps. Martin, Mueller, Cherry, Sneller, Neeley and Frederick offered the following resolution:

A resolution to declare opposition to the excessive fees sought by the plaintiffs' attorneys in the Flint water crisis settlement.

Whereas, The city of Flint changed their municipal water supply source on April 25, 2014, which caused pipes to corrode and release contaminants into the drinking water. A state of emergency was declared on January 16, 2016, and in October 2016, Flint residents were advised not to drink tap water unless it had been filtered to remove lead; and

Whereas, Studies conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and others to assess the contaminated drinking water revealed increased bacteria levels, elevated lead content, and other serious health concerns, as well as ongoing behavioral issues particularly among those under 18 years of age, the timing of which indicated direct connections to the municipal water supply switch. An estimated 14,000 children under the age of 6 were exposed to lead in their drinking water, and early tests suggest that 80 percent of those children will need additional help for language, learning, or other intellectual disorders; and

Whereas, A $641.25 million settlement in the Flint water crisis lawsuit is currently moving forward, with nearly 80 percent of the allotted compensation ultimately awarded going to Flint residents who were under 18 years of age during the crisis as these individuals bear a disproportionate share of lasting health and behavioral effects from the disastrous water supply change; and

Whereas, Attorney fees of $202 million have been requested, which total more than 31 percent of the total settlement amount and would take away more than $160 million from the settlement fund for the children of Flint; and

Whereas, Public health experts believe that the social cost associated with the elevated lead levels could reach $400 million based on lowered IQ levels, lost economic development, increased crime, and additional reliance on welfare programs; and

Whereas, Funds in this record-setting settlement first and foremost should go to Flint children and families who have had their lives changed forever by the decisions made during this crisis, not to trial attorneys; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we declare our opposition to the excessive fees sought by the plaintiffs' attorneys in the Flint water crisis settlement.