Senator Brinks’ statement is as follows:
Colleagues today I rise in support of Senate Bill No. 137, the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy budget, but it’s important to point out that this Senate budget is just the beginning of a conversation around PFAS contamination and what we are doing to address it.
The hardworking residents in West Michigan and families across our state who have faced the PFAS nightmare—they know all too well the consequences when the state cuts corners on drinking water safeguards and infrastructure. They’re living that nightmare every day.
I’m pleased that this budget includes funding to clean up toxic PFAS in our drinking water and that is one of the key reasons for my vote in supporting this budget today.
But this is just the first step and I hope one of many. Our state also will need more resources and personnel to identify, respond to, and end the growing threat from toxic PFAS and other contaminants this year and well into the future.
Parents should have the peace of mind that when they send their children to school, the water they drink is safe. Our families and communities deserve assurance of clean drinking water and pollution standards for toxic PFAS contamination that sets the strongest limit in the nation.
The people of this state asked us to come to the table to tackle our state’s toughest issues, including threats to our drinking water. And this budget, Senate Bill No. 137 is an important start, and I look forward to continuing this important work together.
The following bill was read a third time:
Senate Bill No. 145, entitled
A bill to make appropriations for the department of natural resources for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2020; and to provide for the expenditure of the appropriations.
The question being on the passage of the bill,
The bill was passed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor, as follows: