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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Hours after court rulings cleared the way for nine long-delayed bills championed by Democratic legislators to be delivered to Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Whitmer vetoed all of them. -
The Michigan Supreme Court has left intact a lower court ruling requiring the Michigan House to send all properly passed bills to the governor for a signature or veto. -
Bills to create a state tax credit to spur the development of more affordable housing in Michigan are on their way to Governor Gretchen Whitmer. -
The first debate between the three candidates seeking the Republican nod for governor was contentious, as the men talked over each other and leveled accusations. -
The U.S. Justice Department also reiterated its request for Michigan's voter rolls, which state officials have repeatedly rebuffed. -
A bill to guarantee juveniles facing delinquency proceedings the right to adequate legal counsel is on its way to Michigan's governor. -
Already past the July 1 deadline set in state law, lawmakers spent nearly 24 hours straight in an overnight session to approve the spending plans. -
The Michigan Legislature adjourned Wednesday evening after missing the July 1 legal deadline to adopt a state budget. There's no penalty for missing the deadline. -
It looks more and more likely that lawmakers and Governor Gretchen Whitmer will not pass a state budget by the July 1st statutory deadline. What comes next? -
The Legislature will be in session Wednesday for a last-minute dash to finalize a new state budget before a midnight deadline.
