Rick Pluta
MPRN Capitol Bureau ChiefRick 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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Michigan’s jobless rate dropped slightly in September, according to numbers released Wednesday by the state Department of Technology, Management and Budget. -
Pregnant prison inmates will have access to a birth plan, a doula, and one non-medical support person under a new state directive.
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A bill up for a hearing Tuesday before a state House committee would forbid the Secretary of State from sending unsolicited absentee ballot applications to voters.
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Governor Gretchen Whitmer vetoed two election-related bills Friday that were sent to her by the Republican-controlled Legislature.
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The state House approved legislation Thursday that would require people to show a photo I-D to vote.
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Governor Gretchen Whitmer has vetoed a bill that Republican state Representative Ken Borton of Gaylord says he sponsored the bill based on his ongoing battles with the Department of Natural Resources wildlife officers.
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The state of Michigan’s new fiscal year began Friday. It includes funding to equip Michigan State Police troopers with body cameras.
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Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed the final two bills of the new state budget Wednesday.
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Governor Gretchen Whitmer will line-item veto language in a budget bill that would punish local health departments if they issue emergency COVID-19 restrictions.
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Two former chairs of the Michigan Republican and Democratic parties have joined forces in an effort to guarantee the presidency will go to the candidate who wins the most popular votes nationwide.
