By OPR's Andy Chow
The state treasurer is canvassing the state to pitch his searchable open records website and his latest effort includes Ohio pension funds.
Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel believes that if he can get one statewide retirement system to put their finances on his website then the other four would follow suit.
The records are already public, but adding the information to OhioCheckbook.com makes it more accessible to the general public.
Mandel took his campaign to the School Employees Retirement System's board of trustees, where he acknowledged the hesitation that comes before joining the website.
"After they rip off that Band-Aid and lift up the hood the government officials realize it's not that bad and they should recognize that most importantly the public has a right to see this information," said Mandel.
A SERS spokesperson says the board will take the next month or two to consider the proposal.