It's Just Politics

Mar 19 2025 70 ep. 20 mins 37
It's Just Politics Podcast artwork

Politics can be messy. Politics can be confusing. But, that certainly doesn't mean politics can't be a joy-ride. Join It's Just Politics hosts Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta as they drill down on what’s happening in Michigan politics.

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Nessel fights back

Mar 19 2025 23 mins  
Michigan Democratic Attorney General Dana Nessel has filed six lawsuits and 12 amicus briefs in federal court against President Donald Trump’s controversial Executive Orders. Nessel joins Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta on this week’s It’s Just Politics to explain how she’s determining what suits to file; plus, Nessel looks back on the 11th anniversary this week of

Lt Gov → Gov?

Mar 12 2025 18 mins  
Michigan’s Democratic Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist announces he’s running for Governor in 2026; plus, Republicans in the Michigan House shock Democrats with the introduction - and quick passage - of a $20 billion dollar budget in Lansing.  Want to get political updates from Zoe and Rick straight to your inbox? Sign up for the It's Just Politics newslet

A national address

Mar 05 2025 21 mins  
President Donald Trump delivered the first address of his second term to a Joint Session of Congress. Democratic Congresswoman Debbie Dingell and Republican Congressman Tom Barrett join Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta on this week’s It’s Just Politics for their response to the speech and the Democratic response from Michigan’s Senator Elissa Slotkin.  Support the sh

Part-time Legislature

Feb 26 2025 18 mins  
A Republican state Representative says Michigan lawmakers aren’t working nearly enough and that Lansing is corrupt. He’s introduced a resolution to make the state Legislature part-time. Representative Jim DeSana joins Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta on this week’s It’s Just Politics. Want to get political updates from Zoe and Rick straight to your inbox? Sign up fo

New Chairs

Feb 19 2025 18 mins  
Michigan Republicans and Democrats gather this weekend to choose their new state party chairs. Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta explore the role of the state party chairs and why they matter heading into 2026. Want to get political updates from Zoe and Rick straight to your inbox? Sign up for the It's Just Politics newsletter!Support the show: http://michiganradio.org/donateSee omnyst

Fixing the Damn Roads

Feb 12 2025 18 mins  
Governor Gretchen Whitmer released her much-anticipated road funding plan this week. On this week’s It’s Just Politics, Zoe Clark and Rick Pulta are joined by Bridge Michigan’s Simon Shuster to dig into the $3 billion plan. Plus, John Truscott, former Communications Director for Governor John Engler, explains how to sell a roads plan. Want to get political updates

Transparency shramparency

Feb 05 2025 18 mins  
 Michigan has ranked last in a national study of state ethics and transparency laws. But this past week in Lansing, there’s been increased attention to transparency with the state Senate passing bills to open lawmakers and the governor’s office to Freedom of Information Act requests to the introduction of bills that would stop lawmakers from signing non-disclosure

The Democratic Resistance

Jan 29 2025 18 mins  
Republicans control the state House. There’s a GOP trifecta in D.C. It seems ripe for Democratic opposition… or is it? On this week’s It’s Just Politics, Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta are joined by two Democrats, Adrian Hemond and Portia Roberson, to explore the Democratic resistance or lack thereof. Plus, where things stand in Ottawa County after the controvers

Benson in.

Jan 22 2025 18 mins  
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has become the first Democrat to announce in the race for governor. On this week’s It’s Just Politics, Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta are joined by Benson to discuss her campaign for the state’s highest office. Plus, Matt Friedman joins the pod to discuss a growing trend in campaign announcements. Want to get political updates

Nesbitt in. Tipped wage out?

Jan 15 2025 22 mins  
The special state House committee formed to amend Michigan’s tipped wage and sick-time leave laws meets for the first time this week in Lansing. The chair of the committee, Republican Representative Bill G. Schuette, joins It’s Just Politics to discuss his goals for the bills. Plus, Mothering Justice’s Danielle Atkinson joins hosts Rick Pluta and Zoe Clark to expl