COLUMBUS, Ohio — The 134th General Assembly features a number of newly-elected members in the House of Representatives and Senate.​

In the House, there are 22 lawmakers serving at the state level for the first time.​

One freshman hopes her listening and collaborative skills lead to a better working environment at the Statehouse.​

Monique Smith (D-Fairview Park) was sworn in to the Ohio House of Representatives for her first term last month. She represents the state's 16th House District in northeast Ohio, which includes portions of western Cuyahoga County.​

Smith worked as a Lakewood City Council member from 2010-2014. She said when local government funding was cut under former-Gov. John Kasich, she saw the challenges of partisan politics.

"It felt like a gut punch because we were trying so hard to do what we could with the meager resources we had," said Smith.

Smith said that feeling pushed her to run. She challenged incumbent Dave Greenspan and won.

"I knew how to campaign,” Smith explained. “I knew how to serve constituents. I knew about legislation and I just really had to take a look in the mirror and say, 'Hey!'

Smith said her priorities include increasing wages and investment in public schools, expanding access to healthcare, making college more affordable, and reforming the criminal justice system.

"It's a top priority to make sure that we're supporting working families and providing them the resources that they need to get back to work as everyone wants to do," Smith said.

Smith said including daycare workers in the next round of vaccinations would be the most efficient way to speed up the process.

And while she has an opinion, Smith does not feel the legislature should have a say on Gov. Mike DeWine's executive orders.

"I don't have any confidence, that in that kind of legislature, that we'll produce a better policy than what we're getting from the executive branch," Smith said.

Smith does have confidence the general assembly can pass the bipartisan Fair School Funding Plan and also repeal and replace House Bill 6.

Also regarding House Bill 6, she would like to see the former speaker, Larry Householder (R-Glenford) resign but would vote to remove him if given the chance.

Smith said she will know she has had a successful term two years from now, "If I can contribute to policies, processes or legislation that make government more efficient, more effective and help grow the economy."