WHITEBOARD: The politicians’ pension coup in Ohio
- ORTA
- Jul 1
- 2 min read
Disenfranchising 500,000 teachers and retirees through an overnight coup
David Pepper July 1, 2025
Yes, there are a lot of horrible things happening in politics at the moment. The budget bill just passed the Senate—let’s hope it gets killed back in the House. Make whatever calls you can.
But of all those terrible things, there’s a reason why teachers, retirees and people who care about democracy and fair play (myself included) are so outraged by what just happened in the Ohio budget process.
It has huge impact on lives and economic well-being in Ohio, but it’s also a case study of what happens when everyday Americans get close to real power. The minute they do, those in power strip it away from them as fast as they can—running over laws and the accepted rules of the game in the process. And in this case, undoing past election results, and cancelling future elections.
If you watch this explainer on what happened here, you too will be outraged.
BUT…as I say at the end to the understandably angry (I’m angry too, as you’ll see) and despondent teachers, don’t ever give up. Use the same power you used to get so close the first time around, and go even bigger next time.
Please share this with fellow Ohioans so everyone understands what just happened.
I just tried to explain to all of Ohio what just happend with STRS. And that everyone should pay attention because it’s a case study of what happens when everyday Americans get close to real power. The minute they do, those in power strip it away from them as fast as they can—running over laws and the accepted rules of the game in the process. And in this case, undoing past election results, and cancelling future elections.
BUT…as I say at the end to the understandably angry (I’m angry too, as you’ll see) and despondent teachers and retirees, don’t ever give up. Use the same power you used to get so close the first time around, and go even bigger next time. And I also explain why there is a credible legal challenge to the travesty.
Watch Pepper's explainer (31:35) at https://davidpepper.substack.com/p/whiteboard-the-politicians-pension
Click on the following link to see the STATEMENT OF THE REASONS FOR THE VETO OF ITEMS IN AMENDED SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 96:
