It's Just Politics
Wednesdays at 3:40 p.m. and 8:40 p.m.
Michigan politics is rough and tumble, sometimes confusing but definitely consequential. It’s Just Politics hosts Rick Pluta and Zoe Clark help make sense of the serious questions and the tomfoolery every week. Listen Wednesdays at 3:40p and 8:40p on Michigan Public and get the It’s Just Politics newsletter in your inbox every Friday afternoon. Plus, be sure to subscribe to the It’s Just Politics podcast wherever you get your podcasts.
The Latest from It's Just Politics
After a Republican subpoena, Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson files a legal brief in the Michigan Court of Claims arguing she is a political target. Plus, Michigan U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin offers a centrist remedy for Democrats’ doldrums and the latest on state budget negotiations.
On the Podcast
From the Newsletter
Radio Segments
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First, the former U-M president’s continuing journey. Plus, a two-part conversation on Medicaid cuts and on who might be taking the hit. -
First, the loopholes in Michigan law around manufactured home parks. And a Detroit artist who just received a national grant for her boundary-pushing contributions.
Elsewhere on Michigan Public
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Join Michigan Public’s It's Just Politics team of Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta in Lansing for our next Issues & Ale on June 4, 2025. They'll speak with a bipartisan panel of lawmakers. -
A ballot campaign wants to make Michigan a ranked choice voting state; plus nearly 800 earmark requests from state House lawmakers totaling an estimated $4 billion are made public.
More from It's Just Politics
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Michigan Republicans and Democrats gather this weekend to choose their new state party chairs. Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta explore the role of the state party chairs and why they matter heading into 2026. -
The final legal briefs were filed this week in a lawsuit that pits state Senate Democrats against House Republicans for failing to send bills adopted by both chambers to Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Is this leading the state Capitol toward its own constitutional crisis? -
Governor Gretchen Whitmer released her much-anticipated road funding plan this week. On this week’s It’s Just Politics, Zoe Clark and Rick Pulta are joined by Bridge Michigan’s Simon Shuster to dig into the $3 billion plan. Plus, John Truscott, former Communications Director for Governor John Engler, explains how to sell a roads plan. -
Advocates of making the Michigan legislature and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's office more transparent saw success this week in Lansing. But, is this the year the state Capitol really becomes more open? Plus, new names in the 2026 race to be Michigan's next governor. -
This past week in Lansing, there’s been increased attention to transparency with the state Senate passing bills to open lawmakers and the governor’s office to Freedom of Information Act requests to the introduction of bills that would stop lawmakers from signing non-disclosure agreements. -
U.S. Sen. Gary Peters’ announcement that he won’t run for reelection has left Democrats and Republicans across Michigan to reevaluate 2026's races. Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta evaluate the stakes. -
Republicans control the state House. There’s a GOP trifecta in D.C. It seems ripe for Democratic opposition… or is it?
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