LANSING — A State lawmaker is trying to block Gov. Snyder from using public funds for legal fees related to the Flint water crisis. 

State Sen. Minority Leader Jim Ananich would bar the governor (and a few other top officials) from using public money to pay for private attorneys in any legal matter that’s job-related. 

Defending Governor Snyder from Flint-related lawsuits and investigations could cost taxpayers up to $3.4 million.

Elevated lead levels in Flint’s tap water, which was detected in children’s blood after the source of the water was switched, became an health crisis that captured the nation’s attention.

“Obviously the intent is to rein in, sort of, this outrageous amount of public dollars being spent on private counsel,” Ananich said Tuesday on Stateside. “The citizens would have much more clarity to make sure that tax dollars aren’t wasted on high-priced outside counsel, when terrible decisions are made by the administration.”