State debuts new infrastructure panel

LANSING (AP) — A new statewide commission is crafting a decades-long plan to revamp transportation, drinking water and other infrastructure concerns in Michigan.

Gov. Rick Snyder signed a bill on Monday creating a 27-member commission to provide recommendations on those issues.

The outgoing Republican governor introduced the idea in 2016, a year after alarms were raised regarding lead contamination in Flint's water supply. The state is still working to replace pipes in the community.

The commission will be split into a water council and a transportation council. It will prioritize public health and environmental issues.

Infrastructure to be managed by the new agency includes water, transportation, roads and communication networks.