LANSING — Today, the House of Representatives approved the state budget for fiscal year 2018-19. State Rep. Sheldon Neeley (D-Flint) voted against the General Omnibus budget. In response, Rep. Neeley issued the following statement:

“This budget sets forth priorities of the House Republicans and fails to provide any relief to Michigan families in Flint, leaving them stranded. Flint families were innocent casualties of massive failures of the Snyder administration and as a result, these families have paid a steep price for more than four years.

“With the lacking budget provisions for Flint, coupled with shutdown of bottled water delivery, this is but a clear and continuous illustration of the abandonment of the city by the Snyder administration. Flint deserves to be made whole with additional support it so desperately needs.

“Pastors and concerned citizens from Flint traveled to the Capitol today to exercise their First Amendment and God-given rights and call for greater support from their state, all while we determine how to spend state resources in the coming fiscal year. Yet, Republicans continue to ignore their cries for help, showing how certain communities are viewed, valued and prioritized in their eyes by the lack of forward-moving support.”

###