The office of Gov. Rick Snyder has declined to release contingency plans related to possible layoffs or firings in the event negotiations with unions representing state employees fail to achieve millions in planned for concessions. The Lansing State Journal requested the plans under the state’s Freedom of Information Act
“„In a letter dated Sept. 14, Gary Buckberry, FOIA coordinator for the state Department of Technology, Management and Budget, said the budget proposals were being withheld because they are “notes within a public body” of an advisory nature that precede a final agency decision.
“„“This exemption does not apply unless the public body shows that in the particular instance the public interest in encouraging frank communication between officials and employees of public bodies clearly outweighs the interest in disclosure,” wrote Buckberry, citing the state exemption.