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Michigan Board Approves Petition to Recall Gov. Rick Snyder

The petition seeks to remove Gov. Rick Snyder from office over a schools reshuffle — not over the water crisis in Flint.
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A Michigan state board has approved circulation of a petition to recall Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder — but not over the water crisis in Flint.

The Board of State Canvassers, part of the secretary of state's office, rejected nine other recall petitions, six of them based on Snyder's widely criticized handling of lead from corroded pipes that began leaching into Flint homes following a cost-saving move to pump water from the Flint River.

The water crisis is under criminal investigation by state and federal authorities.

But the petition approved Monday seeks to remove Snyder, a Republican, from office over his decision last year to take control of the state office to reform schools, which organizers say disregards local prerogatives, according to The Detroit News and The Associated Press.

It takes three members of the four-person member board, which is split between Republicans and Democrats, to approve a recall petition.

Related: Parents of 'Tragic' 2-Year-Old With Lead Poisoning Sue Flint

The vote gives organizers 180 days to gather enough signatures to add a ballot measure later this year asking voters to oust Snyder, who told NBC station WEYI of Flint on Monday that he had no intention of resigning.

"I want to solve this problem," Snyder said, contending that things "are clearly going in the right direction" in Flint.