October 26, 2016
By Detroit News Staff

A state board overseeing Flint (click here) as it transitions from state emergency management has reversed course and lifted the city’s ability to sue without first getting approval from the panel.
The Receivership Transition Advisory Board on Wednesday amended a resolution passed in March, just days after Flint served notice it might file a lawsuit against Michigan over its lead-contaminated water supply.
Flint Mayor Karen Weaver welcomed the decision. “At this time we are still trying to work with the state to right this wrong, and have no plans to sue,” she said in a statement. “If state leaders honor their commitment to do what is best for the citizens and the city of Flint, we will see evidence of that commitment in the city and will have no reason to take legal action.”
State Department of Treasury spokeswoman Danelle Gittus said the change clarifies the earlier order, and it was never the board’s intent to block Flint from suing “but rather to provide oversight of settlements related to litigation and labor disputes.”
The decision came a day after Democrats in Michigan’s congressional delegation called on the U.S. Department of Justice to review the panel’s action in March. The five Democrats, including U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee of Flint Township, argued the move was illegal and raised issues of constitutional due process, equal protection and environmental justice, noting that Flint has a majority-black population....