“The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light some of the worst systemic failures within our state, the issue of water shutoffs chief among them. Republican deregulation of the water sector has led to years of murky data and a severe lack of transparency in water management.

“Governor Whitmer has used her emergency powers to mitigate the problem during the current pandemic, but water shutoffs are a pervasive issue that the legislature must step in to address at its source.

“House Democrats have long championed access to affordable clean water and introduced numerous bills to provide protections from water shutoffs and increased transparency and accountability of the water sector only to be blocked by Republican leadership.

“At a time where access to affordable running water is even more crucial to the health and well-being of Michiganders, the legislature must act now to provide long-term permanent solutions to this crisis.”

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