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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The Michigan Court of Appeals has ordered a new trial for a defendant convicted of criminal sexual conduct because the jury that convicted him was never sworn in. -
Complicating stalled budget negotiations in Lansing, new analysis shows the state will have $1.1 billion less heading into the new fiscal year because of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Plus, the campaign to tax Michigan’s wealthiest residents to pay more for schools moves forward with its petition campaign. -
Michigan's high court says law enforcement authorities cannot use a warrant to search a criminal suspect’s cell phone without specifying what it is they’re looking for. -
The Legislature and Governor Gretchen Whitmer face tough choices now that the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act has reset the state’s budget picture. An independent study released Wednesday suggested Michigan will need to come up with $1.1 billion heading into the new fiscal year to balance its budget. -
Eye-raising fundraising numbers are released in Michigan’s 2026 race for governor. Plus, President Trump puts his thumb on Michigan’s political scale in the GOP primary race for U.S. Senate. -
Michigan school officials are taking the Legislature to task for missing session days without a K-12 budget in place. It’s been nearly a month since the fiscal year began for school districts. -
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is part of a federal lawsuit challenging a Trump administration rule that places new demands on states and families receiving food assistance benefits. -
The principal negotiators in the Republican led-House and the Democrat-controlled Senate all seem resigned to the fact that it’s going to take more time before there’s a budget deal in Lansing. Plus, President Trump endorses in Michigan’s U.S. Senate race and Jocelyn Benson and Mike Duggan announce huge fundraising totals. -
The Michigan Court of Appeals has reversed an earlier ruling and held the state’s terroristic threats law does not violate the First Amendment. -
Three weeks since the July 1st statutory deadline and there is still no budget deal in Lansing. A Democrat and Republican lawmaker who are part of budget negotiations at the state Capitol describe where things stand: “the span between our budgets right now is about as big as the Mackinac Bridge.”
