Duplicate degrees at black, white schools sparks Annapolis debate

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- Maryland legislation designed to address what supporters say is a violation of federal desegregation law in higher education was amended Friday by lawmakers, who said they wanted to prevent creating an unprecedented scenario in which state universities could sue each other.

But the bill's sponsor, Sen. Joan Conway, said after the vote that she won't support the amended version and predicted "we won't have a bill," adding that the state could eventually face sanctions for violating federal desegregation law.

"We might lose the battle, but we're going to win the war, so I'm not going to compromise...