Detroit reporter Hank Winchester got on the wrong side of Maureen Taylor, the state chair of the Michigan Welfare Rights Organization, while the two were on MSNBC to talk about Detroit shutting off water to customers who are behind on their bills.
When the reporter for Detroit NBC affiliate WDIV told host Craig Melvin some people simply can’t afford to pay for water while others, “and this is where it gets controversial, who simply don’t want to pay the water bill, who would rather spend money on cable.”
Before answering Melvin’s next question about health concerns, Taylor took some time to say what she thought about what Winchester said. “Before I answer that, let me say shame on Hank. Shame on him…for putting that lie and that misinformation out on the air.”
According to the US Census, 38 percent of Detroit’s population is living below the poverty line.
Melvin later followed up with Winchester by asking if he’d spoken with the people who had the money but didn’t want to pay. Winchester’s answer was interrupted by Taylor saying “No he hasn’t talked to anybody like that.”
“The next time you invite me to be here,” said Taylor at the end of the discussion. “Let’s have some truth and a fair exchange as opposed to Hank who doesn’t know what the hell he’s talking about.”
[Huffington Post]