State Representative Chris Afendoulis (R-Grand Rapids Township) today supported legislation, for which he advocated, which will make critical investments to help address growing public concerns over PFAS contamination in Kent County and across the state.
The expedited appropriation bill will help the State of Michigan address PFAS contamination.
Some of the most notable parts of the package include:  Funding to support the efforts of county health departments (including the Kent County Health Department)  Financial assistance which will go toward remediating known contaminated sites  Investments in upgrades to existing state laboratories.
Currently, all testing for PFAS must be done at out-of-state labs, and the results take weeks to process.
These investments will allow for testing in Michigan and will give concerned residents and state and local leaders more timely information.
Rep. Laura Cox (R-Livonia), Chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee, applauded Afendoulis’ effort.
“Rep.
Afendoulis’ input has been invaluable in this process, and he has been a tremendous advocate on behalf of his constituents,” Cox said.
“However, our work is far from finished.
I won’t be satisfied until all of my constituents have access to the highest quality drinking water possible.”