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.
-
After a new task force report urging an overhaul to the court funding system in Michigan was released this week, state lawmakers will consider how to end the reliance on fines and fees from defendants. Plus, bipartisan bashing of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and a second plea deal in ex-Speaker Lee Chatfield’s corruption case. -
A state judicial task force is calling for a local court funding overhaul so local judges will have fewer incentives to squeeze defendants for revenue. That is part of a plan to bring courts into a compliance with an 11-year-old Michigan Supreme Court decision that money from fines and fees can’t be used to pay courts’ day-to-day operating costs. -
City Council President Mary Sheffield has been elected as Detroit’s next mayor, succeeding Mike Duggan after twelve years in office that reshaped how the city works with Lansing. How will Mayor-elect Sheffield navigate her relationship with Lansing in a time of divided government? And, what lessons can she draw from Duggan’s approach? Plus, Michigan is in the middle of a legal standoff with the federal government over voter-data privacy. -
A first-of-its-kind case testing the power of the state’s judicial branch to instruct the Legislature how to conduct business appears to be heading to the Michigan Supreme Court. -
Michigan legislative leaders passed a confusing mix of stopgaps this week to address the 1.4M Michiganders losing federal food aid due to the ongoing government shutdown. -
Michigan’s legal marijuana industry association is asking a judge to put the brakes on implementing a new excise tax on marijuana while a legal challenge is underway. -
A bill introduced Wednesday in the Michigan Legislature would enable local governments to levy a tax to help them manage the costs of short-term rentals. -
Michigan has ended its multi-billion dollar deal with Chinese-backed Gotion. What went wrong and what’s next for economic development policy in Lansing. Plus, the latest on “The 9 Bills.” -
Right to Life of Michigan has notified the state it will appeal a federal judge’s dismissal of its challenge to the state’s 2022 voter-approved abortion rights amendment. -
The Michigan Court of Appeals says the Republican-controlled state House cannot sit on nine bills adopted last year when Democrats were in control.
