The Personnel Handbook of Green City contains all of that city's personnel policies. One section of the handbook states that One section of the handbook states that "where feasible and practicable supervisors are encouraged to follow the procedures specified in this Handbook before discharging a city employee." Those specified procedures include a communication to the employee of the reasons for the contemplated discharge and an opportunity for a pretermination trial-type hearing at which the employee may challenge those reasons. After a year of service, Baker, the secretary to the Green City Council, was discharged without receiving any communication of reasons for her contemplated discharge and without receiving an opportunity for a pretermination trial-type hearing. Baker files suit in federal district court to challenge her discharge solely on constitutional grounds. Which of the following best describes the initial burden of persuasion in that suit? 
The Green City Council must demonstrate that its personnel handbook created no constitutionally protected interest in city employment or in the procedures by which such employment is terminated. The Green City Council must demonstrate that Baker's termination was for good cause. Baker must demonstrate that state law creates a constitutionally protected interest in her employment or in the procedures by which her employment is terminated. Baker must demonstrate that she reasonably believed that she could work for Green City for as long as she wished.
Question: The Personnel Handbook of Green City contains all of that city's personnel policies. One section of the handbook states that One section of the handbook states that "where feasible and practicable supervisors are encouraged to follow the procedures specified in this Handbook before discharging a city employee." Those specified procedures include a communication to the employee of the reasons for the contemplated discharge and an opportunity for a pretermination trial-type hearing at which the employee may challenge those reasons. After a year of service, Baker, the secretary to the Green City Council, was discharged without receiving any communication of reasons for her contemplated discharge and without receiving an opportunity for a pretermination trial-type hearing. Baker files suit in federal district court to challenge her discharge solely on constitutional grounds. Which of the following best describes the initial burden of persuasion in that suit? 
A. The Green City Council must demonstrate that its personnel handbook created no constitutionally protected interest in city employment or in the procedures by which such employment is terminated.
B. The Green City Council must demonstrate that Baker's termination was for good cause.
C. Baker must demonstrate that state law creates a constitutionally protected interest in her employment or in the procedures by which her employment is terminated.
D. Baker must demonstrate that she reasonably believed that she could work for Green City for as long as she wished.
Answer: