State Lawmaker Wants to Ban Great Lakes Fish Farms
By Rick Pluta and Jake Neher A state lawmaker wants to make sure commercial fish farms will never be allowed to...
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.
UM Law Professor Joan Larsen Named to Michgan Supreme Court
The new Michigan Supreme Court term officially starts Thursday with a new justice appointed by Governor Rick Snyder. He named...
Snyder Says Michigan Should Take Refugees
Governor Rick Snyder says he’d like Michigan to welcome more refugees fleeing war and violence in the Middle East. The governor...
Contractors Ask Legislature to Preserve Prevailing Wage
A group of construction contractors and trade unions is pushing back against an effort at the state Capitol to repeal prevailing...
GOP Lawmaker Wants to Guarantee Expulsions Stick
A Republican legislator is drafting a bill to ensure that state lawmakers who are expelled or quit remain out of office....
Doctor Ben Carson Visits Michigan
Doctor Ben Carson took his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination to Michigan, with stops in Jackson yesterday and Spring Arbor...
House Might to Try to Shut out Gamrat, Courser
Former Representatives Todd Courser and Cindy Gamrat will face crowded primaries, but will have a chance to reclaim the jobs they...
Snyder Forms Political Fund to Back Candidates
Governor Rick Snyder has started a political fund to support candidates who share his centrist views on governing. The governor revealed...
Republicans Dream of Winning at Mackinac Conference
Many Michigan Republicans spent the weekend on Mackinac Island, where they enjoyed fine dining and cocktail receptions, listened to the campaign pitches...
Gamrat Files for Her Old House Seat
Expelled state Representative Cindy Gamrat has filed to run for her old House seat. Gamrat joins a Republican field that’s already...
Snyder Declares Michigan ‘Welcoming Week’ to Honor Immigrants
The immigration question is causing turmoil in the Republican presidential primary, but Governor Rick Snyder is standing by his staunchly pro-immigration position....
Campaign Files Petition to Outlaw Prevailing Wage
The business-led campaign to outlaw union-level prevailing wage mandates on publicly funded construction projects says it has filed 390 thousand...