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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Days away from an October 1 deadline to avert a partial state government shutdown, the governor, speaker of the House, and Senate majority leader all say they've agreed on a budget deal. -
The walkway leading up to the state Capitol has become a daily gathering spot for people demonstrating against potential budget cuts and calling on state lawmakers to get the budget done. -
Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Michigan lawmakers have one week to come up with a budget deal. If they don’t there will be partial state government shutdown. What do voters think about the stalemate in Lansing? And who will they blame if there’s a shutdown? Pollster Richard Czuba, founder of Glengariff Group, has answers. -
People might be getting a real-life lesson soon on how much their lives interact with state government. -
The state Senate gaveled in a rare Monday session, but there was no budget deal to vote on. There's a little more than a week left to avert a partial government shutdown. -
On Tuesday, with two weeks before a possible partial state government shutdown, Governor Gretchen Whitmer seemingly reemerged with a speech at the State Capitol. Its focus was the economic impact on Michigan of federal tariff policy and, more to the point, that not having a state budget deal is only making things worse. -
While the number of payroll jobs remained steady, the unemployment percentage was affected by about 14,000 fewer people holding or seeking jobs. -
It’s less than two weeks before the deadline for a state budget deal. If that doesn’t happen, there will be a partial state government shutdown and widespread government employee layoffs. -
Governor Gretchen Whitmer warns that the budget deadlock at the state Capitol will worsen Michigan’s economic uncertainty caused by federal tariffs. With just two weeks until a possible state government shutdown, what could a shutdown mean for Michigan’s already shaky economy? -
State government is two weeks away from a partial shutdown with still no budget deal between Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Legislature.
