Stephanie M. Smith (born May 20, 1981) is an American politician who currently serves in the Maryland House of Delegates. Smith represents the 45th Legislative District of the state of Maryland which is located in east Baltimore City.[1]
Stephanie M. Smith | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Maryland House of Delegates from the 45th district | |
| Assumed office January 9, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Cory V. McCray |
| Constituency | Baltimore City |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 20, 1981 Virginia Beach, Virginia |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Calvin L. Smith Jr. |
| Children | 2 |
| Residence | Baltimore, Maryland |
| Education | Hampton University (BA) University of Delaware (MA) Howard University School of Law (JD) |
| Occupation | Attorney, Urban Planner |
Background
editSmith was born in Virginia Beach, Virginia on May 20, 1981. She attended Hampton University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science in 2003; the University of Delaware, where she earned a Master of Arts degree in urban affairs and public policy in 2006; and the Howard University School of Law, where she earned a Juris Doctor degree in 2009. She was admitted to the Maryland Bar in 2012.[1] After graduating, she served as the assistant director for Equity, Engagement, and Communications for the Baltimore City Department of Planning and worked with various civic organizations in the city.[2] Smith also served as a general counsel for Earthjustice.[3] Smith is a member of AmeriCorps[4] and the 2017 Emerge Maryland graduating class.[5]
In the legislature
edit_(Smith_crop).jpg)
Smith was sworn in as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates on January 9, 2019.[1] In January 2020, she was elected to lead the Baltimore City Delegation, succeeding former chairwoman Cheryl Glenn.[2][6] In March 2022, Legislative Black Caucus chairman Darryl Barnes appointed Smith to serve as the caucus parliamentarian.[7]
Smith was a delegate to the 2024 Democratic National Convention, pledged to Kamala Harris.[8]
Committee assignments
edit- Member, Appropriations Committee, 2021–present (education & economic development subcommittee, 2022–present; oversight committee on pensions, 2022–present)
- Member, Ways and Means Committee, 2019–2021 (education subcommittee, 2019–2021; local revenues subcommittee, 2019–2020; racing & gaming subcommittee, 2021)
Other memberships
edit- Member, Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, 2019–present
- Member, Maryland Legislative Transit Caucus, 2019–present
- Member, Women Legislators of Maryland, 2019–present
- Member, Maryland Legislative Latino Caucus, 2021–present
Political positions
editEducation
editSmith supports, and voted in favor of passing in 2020, the Blueprint for Maryland's Future.[9] She also supports a vaccine mandate for teachers.[10]
Social issues
editDuring the 2020 legislative session, Smith introduced legislation to ban discrimination based on hair texture.[11] The bill passed and became law on May 8, 2020.[12][13]
During the 2021 legislative session, Smith introduced legislation to require the state to use federal pandemic relief funding to pay electronic monitoring and home detention fees for select defendants. The bill passed and became law on May 30, 2021.[14][15]
Taxes
editDuring the 2020 legislative session, Smith introduced legislation to restructure the state's income tax brackets, restoring a higher 7 percent tax bracket for Marylanders with an annual income over $1 million.[16]
Transportation
editSmith opposed a proposal to build a Maglev from Baltimore to Washington, D.C.[17]
Electoral history
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Talmadge Branch | 6,394 | 19.6 | |
| Democratic | Cheryl Glenn | 5,792 | 17.8 | |
| Democratic | Stephanie Smith | 4,486 | 13.7 | |
| Democratic | Caylin Young | 3,955 | 12.1 | |
| Democratic | Sharon McCollough | 2,886 | 8.8 | |
| Democratic | Marques Dent | 2,705 | 8.3 | |
| Democratic | Rita Church | 2,561 | 7.8 | |
| Democratic | Linzy Jackson | 1,863 | 5.7 | |
| Democratic | John D. Amankwah | 697 | 2.1 | |
| Democratic | George Johnson | 686 | 2.1 | |
| Democratic | Andy Pierre | 602 | 1.8 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Cheryl Glenn | 22,818 | 27.6 | |
| Democratic | Stephanie Smith | 22,524 | 27.3 | |
| Democratic | Talmadge Branch | 21,654 | 26.2 | |
| Green | Glenn L. Ross | 4,026 | 4.9 | |
| Green | Steven "Andy" Ellis | 3,735 | 4.5 | |
| Republican | Ronald M. Owens-Bey | 2,825 | 3.4 | |
| Republican | Jewel Rucker | 2,485 | 3.0 | |
| Republican | Andy Zipay | 2,375 | 2.9 | |
| Write-In | 136 | 0.2 | ||
References
edit- ^ a b c "Stephanie M. Smith". msa.maryland.gov. State of Maryland. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
- ^ a b Gaskill, Hannah (January 10, 2020). "City, Prince George's Delegations Elect New Leaders". Maryland Matters. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
- ^ Kurtz, Josh (December 6, 2021). "Pinsky, Barve Vow to Move Climate Change Bill Quickly in 2022". Maryland Matters. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
- ^ Hernández, Arelis; Wiggins, Ovetta (January 9, 2019). "Meet the freshman class of the Maryland General Assembly". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
- ^ Kurtz, Josh (October 4, 2019). "Celebrating Women — and One Woman in Particular". Maryland Matters. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
- ^ Broadwater, Luke (January 10, 2020). "First-term delegate to lead Baltimore delegation to Maryland House, replacing chairwoman facing corruption charges". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
- ^ Gaines, Danielle; Gaskill, Hannah; Kurtz, Josh (March 25, 2022). "Legislative Roundup: Single Abortion Bill Advances in Senate, Hogan Keeps the Money Flowing, Plus Caucus News". Maryland Matters. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
- ^ Kurtz, Josh (July 22, 2024). "Meet the Maryland delegates to the Democratic National Convention". Maryland Matters. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
- ^ Gaines, Danielle; Gaskill, Hannah (March 18, 2020). "Sweeping Education Reform Bill Headed to Governor's Desk". Maryland Matters. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
- ^ Shwe, Elizabeth (August 12, 2021). "Md. Lawmakers Push for a Vaccine Mandate for Teachers". Maryland Matters. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
- ^ DePuyt, Bruce (March 9, 2020). "CROWN Act Likely to Come Out on Top". Maryland Matters. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
- ^ "Legislation - HB1444". mgaleg.maryland.gov. Maryland General Assembly. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
- ^ "Here's a Look at New State Laws Taking Effect on Oct. 1". Maryland Matters. Capital News Service. October 1, 2020. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
- ^ Gaskill, Hannh (September 24, 2021). "Defendants Face Financial Hardship, Jail Time as Program to Provide Aid for Home Detention is Delayed". Maryland Matters. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
- ^ "Legislation - HB0316". mgaleg.maryland.gov. Maryland General Assembly. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
- ^ Gaines, Danielle (January 16, 2020). "Progressives Push Tax Reform Proposals to Fund Kirwan Plan". Maryland Matters. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
- ^ DePuyt, Bruce (January 24, 2019). "Proposal for Maglev Meets Resistance From Black Caucus". Maryland Matters. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
- ^ "Official 2018 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
- ^ "Official 2018 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.