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 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. -
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson says the federal government does not have a right to voter data it’s seeking in a lawsuit. -
A corruption case tied to Lansing politics continues to raise questions about transparency, campaign donations, and oversight at the state Capitol. Plus, the U.S. Supreme Court could, once again, take up the legality of same-sex marriage. -
The Michigan House Regulatory Reform Committee opened hearings Thursday on a bill to outlaw medical research and testing on dogs if it could cause “pain or distress.”
