Quotas? No More, At Least In Pontiac

About a year ago I noted (here) that the Justice Dept. had filed suit against Pontiac, Michigan, which had implemented a policy requiring “that one of three new hires or promotions be a minority or a woman.” (As any liberal can see, however, that of course was not a “quota.”)

Now the city has agreed to end its hiring quotas amend its affirmative action hiring of fire persons.

Critics … condemned the unusual decree, which still faces final approval, as evidence of a desire by the Bush administration to dismantle affirmative action. Proponents say it ends a form of discrimination that was particularly obnoxious because it was practiced by government.

This decision highlights the debate raging in Michigan over the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative, which would put an end to governmental racial discrimination.

“It’s really very, very vicious to have the Justice Department come in and try to reverse the great gains we’ve made,” said Shanta Driver, a spokeswoman for By Any Means Necessary, the group opposing the Michigan ballot drive to ban affirmative action.

Jennifer Gratz, executive director of the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative ballot proposal, said the Pontiac case shows the need for a statewide law.

“These policies have infected every single part of our lives,” Gratz said. “The people of Michigan are fed up; they’re ready to end these policies.”

The plaintiff in the original complaint agrees.

The Justice Department began an investigation after Pontiac firefighter Arthur Frantz filed a federal lawsuit in 2004, alleging he was passed up for promotion to lieutenant because he is white. The case is to go to trial in September.

“Art Frantz could be the poster boy for the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative (ballot proposal) because everything (Pontiac) has done is what will be prohibited by that ballot initiative,” said James Fett, Frantz’s lawyer.

Say What?