Lawsuit: State Shortchanging Locals By $4 Billion A Year
Jake Neher/WDET A lawsuit says Michigan is short-changing local governments $4 billion dollars a year. If it succeeds, it would...
Rick Pluta 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-hosts 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.
Former POTUS Bill Clinton Does Labor Day Detroit Stop-By
Rick Pluta/MPRN Former President Bill Clinton was a crowd-stopper as he marched in Detroit’s Labor Day Parade on behalf of...
Schuette Must Decide Whether To Take Voting Case To SCOTUS [UPDATE]
Jake Neher/WDET UPDATE: Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette has filed an emergency appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court. A legal...
Former Gov. Granholm: “I Have Great Hope Michigan Will Reject Politics of Divison”
michigan.gov Former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm has emerged as one of the top campaign surrogates for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton....
Michigan Supreme Court Next Stop For Marijuana Campaign
Jake Neher/WDET The campaign to legalize marijuana in Michigan now hopes the state Supreme Court will order the question onto...
Elections Officials Say They Can’t Force Melissa Gilbert To Appear On The Ballot
Facebook/Melissa Gilbert Michigan Republicans have not given up on efforts to keep Democrat Melissa Gilbert on the November ballot despite...
School Officials, Democrats: Snyder School Reform Chief Won’t Meet
Jake Neher/WDET Democrats and local officials in some cities say they’re getting the cold shoulder from the state’s school turnaround...
Appeals Court Says Michigan Voters Can Vote Straight-Ticket In November
Jake Neher/WDET Michigan voters will still be able to vote for a political party’s entire slate of candidates with a...
Marijuana Campaign Says It’s Not Too Late To Make ’16 Ballot
Jake Neher/WDET The campaign to legalize marijuana in Michigan says there’s still time to get the question on the November...
Appeals Court Hears Challenge To Emergency Manager Law
Sascha Raiyn Opponents of Michigan’s emergency manager law still hope their legal challenge will go to trial. On Thursday, they...
Gilbert Will Try To Remove Name From Ballot Following Primary Win
Facebook/Melissa Gilbert Actor Melissa Gilbert has won a prize she no longer wants. Gilbert was the only candidate in Michigan’s...
Court Says Judges Must Talk to Juries When Issuing Instructions
Brian Turner Rules, tradition, and talking to juries matter. That’s the gist of what the state Court of Appeals said...