Monique Smith News

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. 

COLUMBUS—Rep. Monique Smith (D-Fairview Park) issued a statement Tuesday following the passage of the state budget, House Bill 110, which included the Fair School Funding Plan, an improved public school funding formula that better addresses the needs of Ohio students, teachers and communities, as well as $250 million for broadband development in underserved areas.

COLUMBUS– State Rep. Monique Smith (D-Fairview Park) today recognized Child Tax Credit Awareness Day, a day to bring awareness to the historic Child Tax Credit included in the American Rescue Plan. It is the largest Child Tax Credit ever and provides significant relief to the most working families ever. The American Rescue Plan increased the Child Tax Credit to $3,000 for families whose children are between 6-17 years old and $3,600 for families with children under 6 years old. The additional relief will impact some 2,372,000 Ohio children, and could lift 132,000 Ohio children out of poverty.

COLUMBUS– State Rep. Monique Smith (D-Fairview Park) today issued a statement on the expulsion from the Ohio House of former Republican Speaker Larry Householder (R-Glenford) for his alleged role in a $60 million public bribery and corruption scheme to pass and prevent a referendum on a billion-dollar corporate bailout in 2019.

Rep. Monique Smith (D-Fairview Park) voted in opposition Wednesday to House Bill (HB) 157, legislation that would prohibit the collection of income taxes from workers who aren’t physically in an office inside the city or village limits.

COLUMBUS –Rep. Monique Smith (D-Fairview Park) announced today that the state Controlling Board approved several items of note this week, including the allocation of more than $7 million in CARES Act funds. The assistance from the federal government will enhance the Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections’ COVID-19 testing and contact tracing, and pay DRC employees with a hazardous duty supplement. Additionally, The CARES Act funding will provide needed support for Ohio’s National Guard and State Defense Force members who are supporting the state’s COVID-19 response. The item also included $25.5 million for the Department of Education to provide grants for schools and $500,000 for the Department of Developmental Disabilities.