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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Governor Gretchen Whitmer said Wednesday that she will travel to Washington D.C. soon to lobby federal officials against proposed big cuts to the U.S. Department of Education and new tariffs against Canada and other trading partners. -
Michigan’s Democratic Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist announces he’s running for governor in 2026; plus, Republicans in the Michigan House shock Democrats with the introduction - and quick passage - of a $20 billion dollar budget in Lansing. -
Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist launched his campaign Tuesday to try and become the first gubernatorial running mate to ascend to the top spot in over 40 years as well as the first Black governor of Michigan. -
The Michigan Supreme Court issued an order Friday returning an industry challenge to the state’s PFAS drinking water standards to a lower court.A divided Supreme Court instructed the Michigan Court of Appeals to consider the fact that the chemical manufacturer 3M challenged a rule drafted in 2019 before the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy adopted final standards in 2020. -
State House Republicans without advance notice on 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. Plus, Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist preps for a gubernatorial announcement. -
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.
