The Michigan Senate has voted to spend $30 million to help pay the water bills of Flint residents who may have lead-contaminated water.
The bill approved 37-0 Thursday goes to the House for its consideration.
The city's water supply became contaminated when it switched its source from Detroit to the Flint River in 2014 and didn't use proper corrosion controls.
The aid would provide credit for the estimated portion of residential customers' bills for water that was or will be used for drinking, cooking or bathing from 2014 until this spring. Customers would remain responsible for paying for water used for other purposes, such as flushing toilets or washing clothes.
Majority Republicans rejected Democrats' calls to double the appropriation to $60 million so residents would be fully credited for their bills. They also
and also declined to fund nutrition assistance for children to ward off the effects of lead. The Senate Republican leader says that can wait for future discussions.
