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.
-
The revised number shows Michigan essentially held steady in 2025, instead of showing likely job gains in the early wave of data collected. -
Michigan’s cannabis industry has filed another lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the state’s new, controversial wholesale marijuana tax. -
Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued a directive Thursday calling on state departments and agencies to compile information on the impact of tariffs on Michigan businesses and consumers before some of the orders were struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court as unconstitutional. -
The Supreme Court’s decision allows Enbridge to sue Michigan for attempting to use its regulatory power to scuttle Line 5 and stop a tunnel project under the straits. -
We are two months away from the special election that will determine the functional make-up of the state Senate. The 35th Senate district election is an important race that has folks in Lansing wondering what comes next. -
Michigan is one of more than 20 states with conversion therapy bans similar to the Colorado law that was struck down Tuesday by the U.S. Supreme Court. -
The Cannabis Industry Association says the 24% wholesale tax effectively sets a higher rate on marijuana sales than the 6% sales tax rate set in the Michigan Constitution. -
Eaton County Prosecutor Doug Lloyd won the endorsement for Michigan attorney general and Macomb County Clerk Tony Forlini won the Michigan secretary of state endorsement. -
State and city officials sue to stop DHS from turning a Romulus warehouse into a facility that could detain hundreds of immigrant detainees. -
The lawsuit filed last year claimed the girl was admonished and humiliated by her teacher because she remained seated and silent during the Pledge of Allegiance.
