The Problem With the Bipartisan Push to Bailout Flint

Anyone who agrees that the federal government has gotten too big and that Washington lawmakers are addicted to spending money we don’t have should applaud Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, for his efforts to block the funneling of more federal dollars to Flint’s water clean up project.

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First of all, the state of Michigan has the resources to address the crisis in Flint. The state has an almost $600 million surplus from its 2015 budget and over $380 million in an emergency “rainy day” fund. On top of that, President Barack Obama committed $80 million in federal emergency assistance to the state earlier this year. But never missing an opportunity to “waste a crisis” or to “look like we’re doing something,” lawmakers in Washington are calling for more money in the form of federal legislation totaling $220 million. That money’s not just for Flint: it would also subsidize communities around the country dealing with lead contamination and water projects. More...

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