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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A closed-door signing ceremony in the governor’s Capitol office capped months of contentious bargaining. -
The Michigan Supreme Court will hear arguments this week on a key procedural question that could decide whether an immigrant rights case goes to trial. It could also affect future civil rights challenges to state laws. -
In the early hours of October 3rd, after months of delay and posturing, the Michigan Legislature passed a bipartisan state budget—two days after the constitutional October 1 deadline and more than three months past the statutory July 1 target. Governor Gretchen Whitmer says she will sign early next week. -
More than two days past the deadline, the Michigan Legislature very early Friday morning finally approved a bipartisan budget for the new fiscal year. -
Governor Gretchen Whitmer is asking Michigan schools to keep making free breakfast and lunch available to all students – even though there's no budget yet for the program. -
Michigan lawmakers approved a plan early Wednesday morning to fund state government for another week as they finalize a spending agreement for the new fiscal year. The state’s previous budget had run out at midnight and questions abound: was the state government shutdown temporarily or not? And, when will a permanent budget actually get passed? -
The extension averts a partial state government shutdown after lawmakers blew past July’s statutory deadline and last night’s constitutional deadline to adopt a budget. -
Early indications are that there could be some type of executive directive or order to continue interim spending. It would be, to say the least, innovative. -
The Legislature returns to the state Capitol this week in hopes of wrapping up a state budget before the deadline of 12:01 a.m. Wednesday. -
Less than a week ahead of the October 1 deadline to avert a partial state government shutdown, and months past a due-date written into state law, Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the leaders of the state House and Senate announced Thursday evening that they have "reached an agreement" to pass a budget to keep the government funded. But there’s still a lot of work to be done.
