ORTA has sent the attached letter to all Ohio state legislators (Senators and Representatives). The purpose of this letter was to clearly outline the loss of benefits to STRS members and provide important background on the ongoing challenges facing our retirement system. After contacting your elected officials, please share their response—or lack of response—with the ORTA office. This information is critical as we continue to advocate on behalf of Ohio’s retired educators.

"Had I been at the meeting, my response to Mr. Bird would have been, the burden is on you and your fellow legislators to increase the employer contribution so that STRS can keep its promises." - Rudy Fichtenbaum

Members might want to attend or tune into Tuesday’s STRS Investment Seminar. To the surprise of nearly everyone, Investment Committee Chair Alison Lanza Falls has invited Senator Mark Romanchuk and Representative Adam Bird to the seminar. They are scheduled for the 11:30 - 12:15 time slot. Here is why their attendance is interesting.

Ohio Retirement Study Council Chairman Adam Bird and Vice Chairman Mark Romanchuk will be the Special Guests at the STRS Ohio Retirement Board meeting on March 17 at 11:30 am. Why did Rep. Bird and Senator Romanchuk request to speak at the first STRS Board meeting after Dr. Rudy Fichtenbaum was removed from his seat as Board Chair? And what does this mean for Ohio's teachers?

In recognition of Rudy’s dedication to Ohio teachers, please consider donating any amount you can to help him pay his significant legal fees. If you’re unable to donate, you can still help by sharing his GoFundMe on your social media and with your network.

Rudy Fichtenbaum stood up for Ohio's teachers. Now it's our turn to stand up for him. Please donate to his GoFundMe campaign to help him pay his legal fees.

Nearly every year, the State Teachers Retirement System (STRS) holds an election to fill one of our seven allotted seats on the Board; the other four seats are appointed. Dr. Rudy Fichtenbaum has twice won his election by landslide margins as STRS members moved toward selecting Board members intent on addressing the problems that led to drastic cuts in member benefits. Fellow Board members recognized Rudy’s skill set and voted him as their Board Chair. To date, Rudy has spent

And here is where the harm deepens: STRS also hid its consequences, even though it was bound by a fiduciary duty to forewarn.

The conclusion of testimony against two board members of the State Teachers Retirement System, Wade Steen and Rudy Fichtenbaum, leads us to believe that the case is full of holes and should not have been brought in the first place.