Rep. Brennan Applauds Court of Appeals for Upholding Educators' Voice in STRS Governance

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Sean Patrick Brennan (D-Parma) today applauded the 10th District Court of Appeals for swiftly denying Attorney General Dave Yost’s request to overturn a temporary restraining order that blocks sweeping changes to the governance of the State Teachers Retirement System (STRS).

“The Court of Appeals did the right thing by keeping this dangerous and undemocratic provision on hold,” said Rep. Brennan. “Educators who have devoted their lives to Ohio’s students deserve a strong voice in the retirement system they paid into throughout their careers. I am relieved the courts continue to recognize the serious constitutional and fairness concerns this legislation raises.”

The most recent state budget bill, House Bill 96, refashioned the STRS board by adding political appointees while gradually reducing the number of elected representatives from active and retired educators. The law also barred system beneficiaries from serving as board chair or vice chair. Currently, retirees Rudy Fichtenbaum and Elizabeth Jones hold those leadership positions.

A coalition of educators backed by K-12 and higher education faculty unions filed suit in Franklin County Common Pleas Court, arguing the budget provision violated the equal protection clause of the Ohio Constitution. They noted that other public pension system boards in Ohio retain a majority of elected beneficiaries. Plaintiffs also alleged the rushed budget process violated constitutional rules requiring single-subject bills and three readings.

Judge Andy Miller of Franklin County granted a temporary restraining order blocking the changes, which will remain in place at least until an October 10 hearing on the plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction. Attorney General Yost’s office attempted to lift the order through the 10th District Court of Appeals. However, Judges Michael Mentel, Laurel Beatty Blunt, and Shawn Dingus unanimously denied the request.

“This is not just about one pension board,” added Rep. Brennan. “It’s about ensuring that powerful decisions about retirement security are made transparently, democratically, and without political interference. Sneaking provisions into a last-minute budget bill to strip educators of their voice is unacceptable. The courts have once again sent a clear message: educators’ rights matter.”

Rep. Brennan, who serves on the House Public Pensions Committee and the Ohio Retirement Study Council, pledged to continue monitoring the case closely and to advocate for protecting educators’ retirement security.

“Ohio’s teachers and professors kept their promise to our children,” concluded Rep. Brennan. “Now we must keep our promise to them by defending their pensions, preserving their representation, and keeping politics out of the STRS boardroom.”