LANSING, Mich.
Supporters of Michigan’s Proposal 2 won a key legal battle late Friday, as a federal appeals court lifted an injunction that had given the state’s three major universities six more months to comply with parts of the new law.
The opinion means the state’s voter-approved ban on some types of public affirmative action program goes into full effect as court cases proceed.
At least one pro-affirmative action group already is planning to appeal Friday’s ruling.
Michigan voters approved Proposal 2 — which bans the use of race and gender preferences in university admissions and government hiring and contracting — in November. The new law took effect Dec. 23, except for admissions and financial aid decisions for the incoming classes at the University of Michigan, Wayne State University and Michigan State University.
That exception was granted earlier this month by U.S. District Judge David Lawson. The extension would expire July 1.
The appeals court said federal law does not warrant providing an extension.
