Monique Smith News

COLUMBUS — Today, Rep. Monique Smith (D-Fairview Park) voted in opposition to House Bill (HB) 218, Republican-backed legislation that contains last-minute changes to prohibit schools, universities and employers from requiring students or employees to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. It would also bar public and private entities from requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination for any reason. 

Rep. Monique Smith (D-Fairview Park) today voted in opposition to two bills opponents say would make schools and communities less safe and fail to address gun violence in Ohio. House Bill (HB) 99 would allow school districts to arm teachers in the classroom without adequate training or safe storage requirements, while HB 227 would eliminate concealed weapon training and safety standards, including penalties for failing to notify police of a concealed weapon during a stop. 

Rep. Monique Smith (D-Fairview Park) today applauded the House passage of Aisha’s Law, Democratic priority legislation sponsored by Rep. Janine Boyd (D-Cleveland Heights) that would better protect the safety and security for those in high-risk situations for domestic violence. Aisha’s Law would improve how law enforcement agencies respond to domestic violence cases and provide added protections for those in high-risk situations. 

COLUMBUS— Today, State Reps. Adam Miller (D-Columbus) and Monique Smith (D-Fairview Park) testified before the Ohio House Behavioral Health and Recovery Supports Committee on House Bill (HB) 363, which would expand the powers and duties of the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) to include planning, preparing and providing services during pandemics, natural disasters and other major emergencies.

COLUMBUS — State Rep. Monique Smith (D-Fairview Park) voted in opposition Wednesday to House Bill (HB) 175, legislation that would remove protections for ephemeral streams. 

State Rep. Monique Smith (D-Fairview Park)  issued a statement today after the Redistricting Commission failed to meet its constitutional duty to release, hold three hearings on, and adopt a state legislative district map by Sept. 1. Even though other maps have been presented to the Commission, the Commission itself has neither produced nor worked on one, and co-chair Speaker Bob Cupp (R-Lima) has not given a date that the Commission will propose a map for review.  

Rep. Monique Smith (D-Fairview Park) hosted a virtual stop on the Ohio House Democrats’ Ohio Promise: Opportunity Agenda Tour August 19 featuring Rep. Bride Rose Sweeney (D-Cleveland) as a guest. The event was part of a statewide series of town halls where local lawmakers discuss statewide issues like jobs and economic development, education, protecting healthcare access, and the freedom to vote. Smith’s event also gave citizens the opportunity to ask questions and offer input on ways to address the issues facing their communities.

Today, state Reps. Kent Smith (D-Euclid) and Monique Smith (D-Fairview Park) held a press conference detailing legislation to create a program administered by the Ohio Department of Commerce to recognize workplaces that are succeeding at closing the pay gap between men and women. The program would offer an opportunity for workplaces to earn a “Fair Paycheck Workplace” designation from the Ohio Department of Commerce and be recognized as a leader in paycheck fairness. They were joined by Sarah Pariser of The Women’s Fund of Central Ohio.

Rep. Monique Smith (D-Fairview Park) issued a statement following the announcement that Ohioans who were overpaid unemployment benefits during the coronavirus pandemic will be eligible for a waiver to avoid costly repayments. Ohioans who saw their benefits stolen by scammers will also be eligible for replacement payments. 

COLUMBUS—In a memo* Wednesday, Representative Monique Smith (D-Fairview Park) called on Gov. DeWine to veto several state budget provisions she says fail to meet the expectations of Ohioans as the state begins to emerge and build back from the pandemic.