House leader calls for Gov. Snyder's resignation after Flint response
LANSING, Mich. (WJBK) - Michigan's top Democrat is demanding the Governor Rick Snyder's resignation in the wake of the Flint Water Crisis.
Rep. Tim Greimel says it's time for Snyder to step down because of his actions, or lack-thereof, in Flint.
"I'm calling on Gov. Rick Snyder to resign for his actions and inactions pertaining to the Flint water crisis," Greimel said.
Will it happen? The Governor's chief of staff said, flat out, no.
"The governor is focused on finding solutions and he's going to keep on doing that. He has no intentions (of resigning)," Jarrod Agen said.
In the wake of new emails concerning the Snyder administration's handling of the Flint water crisis, the House Democratic leader has concluded there's been "negligence and indifference" and a culture inside the governor's office that lacks accountability and transparency. He says for that reason, he has to go.
"I think it is inconceivable that, given his top aides were regularly discussing this and sending thousands of emails, it's inconceivable that the governor was not aware of what was gong on. If that's the case, then he's the worst manager ever," Greimel said.
The governor has said that he did not learn of the lead contamination problem until October of 2015 and then he says he acted on it. The governor's staff was meeting with Flint-area lawmakers on what was being done to fix the problem when Agen learned of Greimel's request.
"We're in there talking about solutions and not having a political press conference," Agen said. "I wish he (Greimel) was at the meeting asking questions and getting answers."
Flint Democrat Jim Ananich said that the governor should stay put but that he needs to get to work.
"I think if it's giving him a pass; that's the biggest part of the problem. He has a responsibility to fix the problem," Ananich said.
If the governor does not leave, Griemel reports he would sign a recall petition to oust the governor but he would not work hard on that drive.