Christen Smith

Christen Smith is the Pennsylvania News Editor for The Center Square and has more than a decade of experience covering state and national policy issues from all angles.

Government
Philly lawmaker again crosses aisle to support school vouchers

(The Center Square) – A state lawmaker crossed the aisle live on talk radio to support a scholarship program for students in low-performing schools to attend private institutions instead. The… Read More

August 3, 2023
Government
Bipartisan school choice embrace reframes state budget negotiations

(The Center Square) – Bipartisan embrace of a state-funded school choice program reframed budget negotiations this week as Gov. Josh Shapiro stands by a campaign promise that’s riled many of… Read More

June 26, 2023
Government
Lifeline scholarships introduced in the Pennsylvania Senate

(The Center Square) – The Senate introduced a proposal for lifeline scholarships Thursday without fanfare, despite the policy’s high ranking on Republicans’ legislative priority list. Senate Bill 795 would create… Read More

June 19, 2023
Public Education
Public school workers in PA claim ‘dignified’ retirement now out of reach

(The Center Square) – Pennsylvania educators say the “dignified” retirement promised to them decades ago no longer exists thanks to record inflation and benefits “frozen” in time for the last… Read More

March 22, 2023