Rick Pluta
Reporter / Producer - 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 journalism background includes stints with UPI, The Elizabeth (NJ) Daily Journal, The (Pontiac, MI) Oakland Press, and WJR. He is also a lifelong public radio listener.
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.
He co-hosted the weekly segment “It’s Just Politics” on Michigan Radio with Zoe Clark.
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.
Follow him on Twitter at @rickpluta
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State House Republicans without advance notice Thursday muscled through a $20 billion dollar bare-bones budget, touching off a rancorous floor fight and setting up a showdown with the Senate Democratic majority. -
A Democratic state lawmaker has sponsored a proposal to strike the language of a dormant same-sex marriage ban from the Michigan Constitution. -
President Donald Trump delivered the first address of his second term to a Joint Session of Congress. Democratic Congresswoman Debbie Dingell and Republican Congressman Tom Barrett join Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta on this week’s It’s Just Politics for their response to the speech and the Democratic response from Michigan’s Senator Elissa Slotkin. -
A Republican-led state House committee opened hearings Tuesday on a proposed amendment to the Michigan Constitution that would require people to show proof of citizenship to register to vote. The measure would also require people to show a government issued ID before they can cast a ballot. -
A Republican state lawmaker says he hopes Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s support will help get a proposal enacted into law to help reduce the distraction of students staring into electronic screens during class time. -
A Michigan Court of Claims judge has ruled the Republican-controlled Michigan House should send nine bills being held in the clerk’s office to Governor Gretchen Whitmer for her to sign or veto. But the judge stopped short of issuing a court order to comply with the decision. -
Governor Gretchen Whitmer delivered her seventh State of the State address this week and tacked to the political center; plus, a judge rules in the state Legislature’s nine bills case, and Michigan U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin will deliver the Democratic response to President Donald Trump’s address to the nation next week. -
Governor Gretchen Whitmer is calling for streamlining the state’s environmental permitting process — including a reduction in the types of projects that require regulatory approval.It was one of the proposals Whitmer outlined Wednesday in her State of the State address. -
Governor Gretchen Whitmer said divided government in Lansing should not stop Democrats and Republicans from finding ways to get things done. The governor delivered her seventh State of the State address on Wednesday. -
A Republican state Representative says Michigan lawmakers aren’t working nearly enough and that Lansing is corrupt. He’s introduced a resolution to make the state Legislature part-time. Representative Jim DeSana joins Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta on this week’s It’s Just Politics.
