In 2009, Smith voted for placing non-discrimination requirements for services and employment on faith based charities receiving government support. In 2009, Smith voted to give authority to the Commissioner of the Texas Education Agency to approve content of electronic textbooks. In 2007, Smith voted against giving school teachers a pay increase. He voted against the funding of school choice programs. The same year Smith voted for the levying of a "granny tax" on nursing home residents. A bill which according to State Senator Jane Nelson was "a tax on the people that could least afford it." In 2007, Smith opposed English-only education, and supported HB 2814 to allow schools to teach in students in two languages rather than just English. In response to HB 2814, Rep. Debbie Riddle (R-Dist. 150) said, "we're in America where English is the native language; kids should know how to use it proficiently." In 2007, he voted to increase the number of people eligible for indigent health care even though many of the families who would now be eligible could afford their own healthcare. In 2005, Smith voted to raise the motor vehicle sales tax. Smith voted to authorize counties to impose a local gasoline tax.