Prop. 2 loss 'difficult to swallow,' MCC spokesman says
Joe Kohn of The Michigan Catholic
Published November 10, 2006
Detroit -- The Nov. 7 passing of Michigan's Proposal 2 was a tough loss to take as it will hurt Michigan's bid to overcome racial prejudice, said a spokesman for the Church's public policy body in the state.
Church leaders in Michigan, lead by Cardinal Adam Maida, actively campaigned against the ballot proposal to make unconstitutional discrimination based on race and gender in publicly funded entities – thus ending affirmative action programs designed to give minorities economic and educational opportunities.
"This one was a difficult loss to swallow considering the detrimental effect Proposal 2 will now have on social justice policy in the state," said David Maluchnik, communications director for the Lansing-based Michigan Catholic Conference, which speaks in the political arena for the state's seven bishops. "From a constitutional perspective, educational institutions should have autonomy over their admissions policies. Unfortunately, Proposal 2 has eradicated that institutional freedom."
To oppose Proposal 2, the Church distributed 300,000 guides to voters on the proposal, informed Catholics via parish bulletins, created a DVD on the importance of affirmative action, and started a parish educational campaign.
Still, a majority of Michigan voters in the general election disagreed with the Church's stance – even though Catholic leaders were joined in their opposition by leaders of various other faiths, both Christian and non-Christian, and prominent Democrats and Republicans.
The proposal was passed by a 58-to-42 percent margin. Affirmative action programs around the state designed to put women and minorities in better positions to succeed are now in jeopardy. Affirmative action commonly is used in college admissions programs and government contracting, or to hire people to government-funded jobs.
Despite the loss, Maluchnik said, the Catholic Church was grateful for the many efforts by religious leaders and churches throughout the state – Catholic and non-Catholic – who fought the ban on affirmative action programs.
"The Conference is extremely grateful for our state's episcopal and pastoral leadership on Proposal 2 as the Church continues its strong advocacy for the promotion of equality and social justice," he said.
Another proposal the Church was vocal against, Proposal 5, went down to defeat. Proposal 5 would have earmarked up to $1 billion per year to fund public education without legislative oversight.
The Church opposed the measure because there was no guarantee that any of the money would have helped students, and because the large amount of funding may have jeopardized programs for the poor and vulnerable living in Michigan.
"Necessary funding for public education in the State of Michigan must be a continued priority for the legislature and the executive office," said Sr. Monica Kostielney, RSM, president and CEO of the MCC, in a statement issued after the election. "In its attempt to solidify proper funding, however, Proposal 5 failed to recognize the constraints it would have placed upon those vulnerable Michigan residents who depend on the state for their sustenance and safety."
In the same statement, Sr. Kostielney called for state lawmakers to fund higher education with tuition grants.
Another factor that could play into life at the MCC is the change in hands of Michigan's House of Representatives, from Republican to Democrat.
A different party in charge, obviously, will have different priorities, Maluchnik said. Still, he added, the Church's priorities won't change.
"We can expect a different legislative calendar in the House as Democrats have taken control of that chamber for the first time since 1996," Maluchnik said. "Regardless of who is in the majority, the Conference will continue to proclaim our message of promotion and protection of human life with preferential treatment for the state's poor and vulnerable population."
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