Top Legislators Give Mixed Response to Snyder Keeping Lyon in Office
Attorney General Bill Schuette filed multiple criminal charges last week against Nick Lyon, including manslaughter.
Gov. Rick Snyder is raising a lot of eyebrows by keeping the state health director at his post, even though he’s now facing criminal charges for the Flint water crisis.
Attorney General Bill Schuette filed multiple criminal charges last week against Nick Lyon, including manslaughter.
But shortly after the charges were announced, Snyder defended Lyon and said he’ll stay on as head of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).
That’s getting a mixed response from Republican and Democratic lawmakers.
State House Minority Leader Sam Singh (D-East Lansing) says Lyon should at least be given a leave of absence.
“The administration, I was very disappointed with their response to the issue,” said Singh. “I think when you have something of this nature, I do think all the people that are under this type of investigation should be, at least at a minimum a leave of absence.”
Senate Minority Leader Jim Ananich (D-Flint) says Snyder shouldn’t be defending Lyon.
For now, Republican leaders in the House and Senate are withholding their thoughts on whether Lyon should stay in office.
Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof (R-West Olive) says he is staying out of the discussion while the charges are pending.
“I personally think Nick’s done a good job as director and we’ll see where the legal process goes,” said Meekhof.
