The state Legislature will kick off hearings on the Flint water crisis next week.
The first hearing on Tuesday morning will focus on a report from the Michigan auditor general that looked into decisions that led to the crisis.
Republican state Sen. Jim Stamas, R-Midland, is the chair of the joint legislative committee.
“As the public comes forward with a concern, we want to make sure that we’re hearing that and taking action on that. And so we’re looking to make sure that we find and adjust policy and/or statute so that we have a better system that works for the people of Michigan,” Stamas told reporters on Thursday.
Stamas says lawmakers will also launch a website the public can use to submit questions and comments.
“We want to make sure that we’re bringing in as much as we can from the public and from anyone that is interested in that process so that we’re getting as much information to move forward with good policy,” he said.
The panel will not have subpoena power. But Stamas says it will ask public officials to swear an oath before testifying.
The hearings begin the same day a congressional committee holds a hearing on the crisis.
