Here are 3 things Governor Snyder could do for Flint

As Governor Rick Snyder begins his State of the State address tonight, audience members will be listening closely for what he says about Flint.

So what could Snyder actually do for the people in Flint, besides promise money?

Here are three actions people have been asking for:

1) Create a "Future Fund" for those kids who were exposed to high levels of lead

The effects of lead exposure and lead poisoning in children can be severe. Lead can damage a baby’s nervous system, and even low-level exposures can affect behavior and intelligence. In order to address this, Dr. Eden Wells, the state's chief medical executive, said that the state should treat all children under the age of six in Flint as if they were exposed to lead.

Senator Peters and other members of the state’s Democratic Party are calling for a “Future Fund” to provide for monetary costs of the lead exposure side effects as they are revealed.  

2) Release his internal e-mails

In order to explain Flint’s water crisis, and to avoid any similar failures, many are saying transparency between the state government and its citizens is crucial.

In a recent interview with Ron Fournier at the National Journal, Snyder said he’s “considering” opening up his e-mail accounts to the public. Fournier emphasized this popular opinion in his recent tweet:

3) Don't make Flint residents pay for water they couldn't drink

The residents of Flint, due to the poisoning of the water, were told not to drink it beginning in October of 2015. Despite the fearful quality of the water, Flint residents are still expected to pay for the water that they cannot drink.

Last week, city officials announced that they would start sending shut-off warnings to those behind on their water bills. Attorney General Bill Schuette recently took to Twitter and commented on Flint's unpaid bills, stating: 

Gov. Snyder could make an announcement tonight that Flint residents won't have to pay for the water until it's safe.

- Amelia Zak, Michigan Radio Newsroom