A majority of small and midsize business owners and managers surveyed in a Crain’s poll support a state constitutional amendment banning racial, gender and ethnic preferences in state government and universities.The findings mirror another poll by John Bailey & Associates, which was commissioned by the Detroit Regional Chamber. Crain’s poll, conducted by EPIC-MRA, had a larger sample size. (See box, Page 88.) ... Ward Connerly — a former University of California regent and a nationally known opponent of racial preferences — is backing the Michigan initiative. A group called the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative circulated petitions in the state. Jennifer...