Second group sues over anti-affirmative action amendment

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Affirmative action supporters have filed a lawsuit over a proposed Missouri constitutional amendment to bar state programs that give preferences based on race or gender.

The lawsuit filed by Steve Israelite, former executive director of the Jewish Heritage Foundation of Kansas City, and Greg Shufeldt, political director for the St. Louis-based Missouri Progressive Vote Coalition, is the second lawsuit filed against the proposed amendment.

The proposed amendment would end gender and race preferences in state hiring, contracting and education. However, it would not preclude gender preferences in public housing, education or contracting that are "reasonably necessary," and it would not apply in instances where federal program funds would be lost.