Rick Pluta
Senior Capitol Correspondent - Michigan Public Radio NetworkRick Pluta is Senior Capitol Correspondent for the Michigan Public Radio Network. He has been covering Michigan’s Capitol, government, and politics since 1987. His reports appear regularly from the Capitol on public radio stations across the state and NPR.
He also hosts the weekly political program It’s Just Politics with Michigan Public's Political Director Zoe Clark.
Pluta's journalism background includes stints with UPI, The Elizabeth (NJ) Daily Journal, The (Pontiac, MI) Oakland Press, and WJR.
Rick was one of the first Michigan political reporters to write about “pay-to-play” fundraising, and the controversies surrounding recognition of same-sex relationships. He broke the news that Gov. John Engler was planning a huge juvenile justice overhaul that included adult-time-for-adult-crime sentencing, and has continued to report since then on the effects of that policy decision.
Rick is fascinated by the game of politics, and the grand plans and human foibles that go into policy-making. You will never find him ice-fishing.
He is a lifelong public radio listener.
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More than 2.5 million Michiganders turned out to vote in last week’s primary. What can voter enthusiasm tell us about the November election? -
Can progressive and centrist Democrats find unity after a contentious U.S. Senate primary? One Democratic Congresswoman says they have to. -
A business-backed group is asking the Michigan Supreme Court to invalidate a campaign finance petition over a dispute about signature certification. -
Governor Gretchen Whitmer called on Democrats to work past lingering bitterness from primary campaigns that often pitted progressives against centrists. -
After a contentious battle in Michigan’s Democratic U.S. Senate primary, where does the party go from here? Plus, Tuesday’s election results. -
After a contentious battle in Michigan’s Democratic U.S. Senate primary, where does the party go from here? Plus, Tuesday’s election results.
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Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson wins in the Democratic gubernatorial primary against Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson. -
The Michigan Secretary of State denied a GOP request for volunteer poll worker records, saying their private information should not be publicly released. -
Michigan has stipulated it will not enforce the state ban on conversion therapy that seeks to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of minors as part of an agreement filed this week with a federal court to comply with a U.S. Supreme Court decision that struck down a similar law in Colorado. -
Democratic candidate for governor Jocelyn Benson is looking past primary day onto winning back Democratic control in Lansing.
