LANSING, Mich. – Advocates are urging Michigan lawmakers to pass several water affordability bills before the session ends.
So far, more than 100 local and county elected officials have sent letters to legislative leaders in support of the bills, according to State Sen. Stephanie Chang who primarily led the charge on the bi-partisan issue.
The concern is some Michiganders have to choose between putting food on the table or paying their utility bills.
Some lawmakers are calling for the creation of a water affordability program in the Great Lakes State similar to state and federal energy assistance programs.
Earlier this year, State Sen. Chang shared data shows between 290,000 and 390,000 Michigan homes in every region of the state could benefit from a low-income water affordability program.
With the clock winding down on lawmakers, water advocates called on legislators to act during what they called an emergency press conference Monday.
“As we make our phone calls, as we urge our lawmakers that they could bring up to the floor tomorrow. Now, they could wait until next year, should they choose. But we’re not certain about next year,” Demeeko Williams, chief director of Hydrate Detroit. “We cannot wait until next year. I’m sorry, I’m not going to take no for an answer.” Hydrate Detroit offers aid for customers who are facing discontinued water service.
Currently, the bi-partisan water affordability package features six bills. According to State Sen. Chang’s office, the Michigan Low-Income Water Residential Affordability Program includes some of the following:
- Ensure monthly water bills are no more than 3 percent of annual household income with continued funding due to a $2 per month funding on customers’ water bills
- Water providers would be required to contact delinquent customers at least four times before shutting off service for failing to pay
- Ban water providers from discontinuing service or putting a lien on property taxes of customers registered through a water affordability program
- Create a plumbing repair fun to pay for up to $2,5000 of repairs per household with further assistance available for dire cases
- Establish a plumbing repair fund to pay for up to $2,500 of repairs per household, with options for extreme need cases
Meanwhile, water advocates are also urging voters to contact their state legislators. Though the reality is the water affordability package joins a long list of bills that will have to be re-introduced in another session.
