Rick Pluta | MPRN
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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The Michigan Senate gaveled out Friday following a marathon 30-hour session that wrapped up the Legislature’s work for the year as well as Democrats’ complete control of the state Capitol. -
In a special edition of the It’s Just Politics newsletter, Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta take a look back at the 10 biggest political stories in Michigan of 2024. From Election 2024 and the Uncommitted National Movement to the state Supreme Court’s decision on ‘adopt and amend’ to Mayor Mike Duggan’s headline-grabbing gubernatorial announcement, the It’s Just Politics team breaks it all down. -
The Michigan House session fizzled to a close Thursday as Democratic leaders failed to muster a quorum to conduct business. -
Action in the Legislature’s lame duck session stalled Wednesday as a boycott by all the House Republicans plus one Democrat left the chamber without a quorum to conduct business.
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Frustration is boiling over at the state Capitol as the final days of Democrats’ complete control in Lansing come to an end. Republicans are continuing to boycott votes in the House, a Democratic lawmaker walked out of the Capitol while voting was underway, and state Representatives are taking to social media to vent their anger. -
The Michigan Court of Appeals has ordered criminal election fraud cases to go forward against two men accused of orchestrating misleading political robo-calls to Detroit voters. -
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued a report Monday outlining allegations of sexual abuse by clergy in the Lansing Diocese of the Catholic Church. In some cases, they date back to the 1950s. -
Inmates could see their time in prison reduced if they earn education credits or complete job training or other approved activities under bills approved by the Michigan Senate. -
In this week’s It’s Just Politics newsletter, Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta take you behind the scenes of a day of lame duck in the 102nd Legislative session in Lansing. Plus, this week marks the tenth anniversary of the city of Detroit emerging from the nation’s largest municipal bankruptcy, and a recount in Calhoun County shows that every vote really does matter. -
A bill on its way to Governor Gretchen Whitmer would help ensure that juveniles accused of crimes have the same right to an attorney as adult defendants.
