Your host Richele O'Connor sits down with Ohio’s movers, shakers, and change-makers to uncover the personal stories behind public service.

She is joined by Michaela Burriss, Policy Director for the Ohio Justice and Policy Center, accomplished former Upper Arlington City Council member, and now a Democratic candidate for State Representative.

Raised in Northeast Ohio by a single, immigrant mother and experiencing hardships like housing insecurity, Michaela Burriss shares how her resilience was forged from childhood adversity, a supportive yet tough environment, and a competitive edge honed as a Division I athlete. Throughout the conversation, she and Richele O'Connor dig into Michaela’s passion for advocating for the underdog, her journey through law school and public service, her leadership in community initiatives (like the Burriss Backyard Speaker Series responding to the Dobbs decision), and her commitment to criminal justice reform.

Together, they also discuss the ongoing challenges facing Ohio’s public schools, the importance of authentic leadership, the realities of working in a politically divided statehouse, and the power of organizing at the local level. Whether it’s fighting for education equity, confronting the ripple effects of controversial court decisions, or building genuine community connections, Michaela Burriss exemplifies what it means to turn hardship into hope—and action.

Stay tuned as we unpack her vision for Ohio, her unapologetic approach to leadership, and why she believes now is the time for every Ohioan to get involved and make their voices heard.

Moments

00:00 "Acclaimed Legal and Civic Leader"

03:26 "It Could Be Worse"

06:42 "Putting People Over Politics"

09:46 "Backyard Series for Reproductive Rights"

13:51 Youngstown Schools Charter Takeover

16:55 "Tough on Crime Scapegoating"

20:52 Authenticity Through Cultural Directness

24:37 Balancing Change and Commitment

29:05 Democratic Leadership in Challenging Times

30:15 Higher Education & Workers' Rights

Copyright 2025 Just The Facts Ohio

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Disclaimer

The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and guests, and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency or company.

This is an inspiring, honest, and at times personal conversation about government’s role, the power of working across divides, and how committed individuals can make a difference in the Buckeye State.

On this episode of Just The Facts Ohio, host Richele O’Connor sits down with the Honorable Latyna Humphrey, a trailblazing state representative making real change in her community.

Humphrey discusses her legislative accomplishments, from championing reentry and housing opportunities for returning citizens to advocating for maternal health funding and continuous Medicaid enrollment for young children.

Richele asks about the personal motivations behind Latyna’s work—especially how her mother’s experiences with reentry shaped her priorities. You will get a behind-the-scenes look at building bipartisan relationships in Ohio’s deeply divided Statehouse, how important practical consensus is to driving real policy, and why framing the conversation around solutions, rather than partisanship, can create unexpected allies.

Latyna also shares her thoughts on restorative justice and advice for young people seeking to enter public service. As she eyes the State Senate, her focus remains clear: compassionate, experienced leadership that puts community needs first.

Three key takeaways that will stick with you:

Bipartisan Collaboration Gets Results: Rep. Humphrey’s success in passing transformative legislation—like HB50 (housing relief for returning citizens) and a sweeping driver's license reinstatement bill—comes from building genuine relationships across the aisle, focusing on shared goals, and prioritizing the work over partisan labels.

Service Before Spotlight: Her advice for young people seeking office? Lead with service. Groundwork and a passion for helping others open doors for authentic leadership, not just ambition. “Service has got to be the foundation,” she emphasized.

Restorative Justice & Practical Solutions: Humphrey’s focus on reentry, employment, and support for Ohio’s most vulnerable shows the importance of listening to business, families, and returning citizens alike. Real change starts by reframing the conversation—empathy and evidence, not ‘us versus them’ thinking.

Moments

00:00 Housing Bill Empowers Justice-Involved Individuals

06:19 Bipartisan Collaboration and Mentorship

08:53 Polarization and Problem-Solving

12:51 Changing Mindsets Beyond Politics

16:20 Government's Role and Overreach

19:53 Service First for Young Politicians

22:30 Defending DEI Programs' Purpose

23:47 "Beyond Thinking Inside the Box"

34:21 Property Tax Deferral Challenges

Copyright 2025 Just The Facts Ohio

Mentioned in this episode:

Disclaimer

The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and guests, and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency or company.

Whether you’re a retired teacher, an active educator, or an Ohioan concerned about public education and fiscal responsibility, get ready for an episode that untangles complicated pension jargon into everyday realities—and sounds the alarm on one of the most high-stakes financial battles quietly shaping Ohio’s future.

Welcome to the inaugural episode of Just the Facts Ohio! In this premiere, host Richele O’Connor sits down with Dr. Rudy Fichtenbaum, Professor Emeritus of Economics at Wright State University and board chair of the Ohio State Teachers Retirement System (STRS). With over 500,000 Ohio teachers counting on STRS for their retirement security, Dr. Fichtenbaum pulls back the curtain on why he believes Ohio educators are facing the worst retirement deal in the country.

In this wide-ranging and illuminating conversation, Dr. Fichtenbaum breaks down how inflation, stagnant cost-of-living adjustments (COLA), and a system designed with fixed employer contributions are eroding teachers’ purchasing power. He describes the internal drama and legal battles rocking the STRS board, the contentious debate over investment strategies and staff bonuses, and how political maneuvering threatens the voice of teachers in their own retirement system.

Beyond the headlines, Rudy highlights the real-life impact these policy decisions have on the livelihoods of retired educators, and offers a clear-eyed look at what the legislature, the STRS board, and teachers themselves can do to secure a fairer future.

Moments

00:00 "Governor's Board Reappointments Controversy"

06:28 Investment Impact on Retirement COLA

09:26 Revised Investment Benchmark Standards

13:17 "Midnight Massacre Amendment Controversy"

14:25 Pension Investment Strategies: In-house vs. Outsourcing

17:50 Inconsistent Pension Performance Metrics

21:36 Pension Liabilities as Mortgage Analogy

25:02 Pension Shortfall: $300 Million Monthly Gap

29:20 Teacher Pension Funding Challenges

33:35 Pension Contributions: Fixed vs. Variable

37:15 Mobilizing Community Engagement

39:22 Progress Made Amid Fiduciary Constraints

40:59 Consensus Challenges in Decision-Making

45:12 Board Constraints on Bonus Decisions

48:51 STRS Fiduciary Audit Conflict

52:38 "Pension Concerns, Lawsuit Response"

Here are three key takeaways every Ohio educator (and anyone who cares about strong public education) should know:

🔹 Purchasing power for retired educators is plummeting. Since 2017, the purchasing power of STRS retirees has declined by 32% due to insufficient cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs). With rising inflation and stagnant pension payments, many retired teachers are struggling to keep up with basic expenses.

🔹 Employer contributions are shockingly low and haven’t changed in decades. While Ohio teachers’ contributions have increased over the years, the employer's share has remained flat for 38 years—making it one of the lowest in the country. This is particularly problematic since teachers in Ohio do not participate in Social Security, relying exclusively on their pensions.

🔹 Board structure changes and lawsuits are disrupting governance. There’s ongoing turmoil around STRS board reform, including board member removals and reinstatements, lawsuits alleging breach of fiduciary duty, and new laws threatening to reduce the number of elected teacher representatives on the board. These changes raise major concerns about preserving teachers’ voices and long-term pension stability.

Huge thanks to Dr. Rudy Fichtenbaum for shedding light on these critical issues. If you care about the future of education in Ohio, now’s the time to get informed and get involved!

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