Michigan ? The Michigan Court of Appeals temporarily halted a ruling Monday that allowed governments and public universities to provide health insurance to the partners of gay employees.

The dispute goes back to Michigan voters’ approval almost a year ago of a constitutional amendment that made the union between a man and a woman the only agreement recognized as a marriage “or similar union for any purpose.”

The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan sued, and Ingham County Circuit Judge Joyce Draganchuk ruled in late September that public-sector employers can offer domestic partner benefits without violating the amendment.

Republican State Atty. Gen. Mike Cox is now appealing that ruling and had asked the appeals court to delay the decision until the higher court decides the issue.

Cox and conservative groups argue that the constitutional amendment prohibited Kalamazoo and other public employers from providing same-sex benefits in future contracts.

A spokeswoman for Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm said Granholm was disappointed with the delay.