LANSING (AP) -- Thousands of Michigan teachers, public employees and others are protesting in Lansing. The rally is continued opposition to budget plans proposed by Republican Gov. Rick Snyder and the GOP-led Legislature.
Organizers say the rally could be the biggest yet for the state's current budget cycle.
It's expected to include groups represented by the Michigan AFL-CIO, teachers unions and other associations.
Michigan AFL-CIO President Mark Gaffney says Republican Gov. Rick Snyder and lawmakers are moving ahead too quickly with budget plans.
Unions are upset about proposals they say would undermine collective bargaining rights. Other groups are upset about proposed cuts to education funding and other programs.
Snyder has said the protests are part of the democratic process.
The Superintendent of Traverse City Area Public Schools took a proactive step to make sure they were prepared for Wednesday's protest. Stephen Cousins sent a survey and asked teachers if anyone was going to attend the rally so they could plan for absences. Cousins said the district was not largely impacted.
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