Rick Pluta
Rick 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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A pair of state House committees started work Tuesday on bills to overhaul the state’s juvenile justice system. -
The Democratic chair of the state House budget committee faces questions about a business she co-owned that helped clients seeking taxpayer funds for projects. -
The Michigan Legislature ends its summer recess Wednesday and returns to Lansing to begin its fall session. -
A closely watched University of Michigan economic forecast predicts a small spike in unemployment early next year following an expected auto workers strike. -
A law that takes effect tomorrow expands services and financial assistance available to help crime victims in Michigan. -
The Michigan Attorney General’s office won’t appeal a ruling that it violated Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act. -
The budget signed recently by Governor Gretchen Whitmer includes almost 50 million dollars to implement recommendations from the Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities. -
A federal judge has ordered the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to return or destroy blood samples taken from some newborn infants unless it gets permission from the parents to keep them in a state database. -
The Michigan Supreme Court has upheld two convictions and sentences for violating separate but similar gun crime laws. -
The Michigan Court of Appeals has upheld the University of Michigan’s campus firearm ban.