Snyder urges debate on protecting gays from discrimination

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Gov. Rick Snyder is urging the Republican-led Legislature to keep alive a bill that would amend Michigan's civil rights law to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

The legislation stalled in last year's session. But in Tuesday night's State of the State speech, the Republican governor called for lawmakers to revisit the issue.

He typically stops short of urging passage of the bill. But his past calls for legislative debate has encouraged gay rights advocates and business groups that say it's time to update the almost 40-year-old civil rights law in part to make Michigan more attractive as a destination.

Snyder tells The Associated Press there's still an "opportunity to hopefully do something."

Key Republican backers of the bill have left under term limits.