Christen Smith

Northeast Regional Editor for @thecentersquare. Always reluctant Twitter user. Tips: [email protected]

[The Center Square @thecentersquare]

Unions are pushing to expand paid leave and staffing requirements, raising questions about costs for employers and taxpayers.

More on The Center Square Daily.

[The Center Square @thecentersquare]

Organizers say Gov. Josh Shapiro’s office has not responded to multiple invitations to a virtual town hall on data centers.

The meeting follows growing debate over proposed projects and calls for clearer statewide rules on development.

Read more:
https://t.co/9WZG9LTBV4

[The Center Square @thecentersquare]

A report says uncertainty over carbon tax policies cost Pennsylvania an estimated $5.1 billion in lost investment.

More on The Center Square Daily.

[Christen Smith @cmtWordsmith]

Debate rages on use of taxpayer money for security at Shapiro's private home

Read more:
https://t.co/OWepYqIHmK via @thecentersquare

[Christen Smith @cmtWordsmith]

Fetterman wants SNAP to cover hot rotisserie chicken for beneficiaries.

Read more:

https://t.co/fpq0yTL4Bu via @thecentersquare

[Christen Smith @cmtWordsmith]

Pa. Treasury can't pay for security upgrades at Shapiro's private home

Read more here:

https://t.co/WONcSa4W6f via @thecentersquare

[The Center Square @thecentersquare]

Ohio man charged after threatening voicemail left for a Pennsylvania state lawmaker has led to criminal charges.

" ... if Pennsylvania thinks they're going to come after our guns," followed by a pair of words that included an obscenity, followed by " ... blood will roll. You get it?" According to a police affidavit, part of the voicemail left by a male caller on the morning of Dec. 17, stated.

Officials say the incident reflects a broader rise in political threats across the country.

[Christen Smith @cmtWordsmith]

EXCLUSIVE: Ohio man charged after Pa. lawmaker gets 'blood will roll' phone message https://t.co/l6nRmbVJOW via @thecentersquare

[Christen Smith @cmtWordsmith]

“I’m willing to pay more taxes – I can afford to pay more to keep you out of here. I don’t want you.”

Residents are fuming over data center farm takeovers in Pennsylvania.

Read more:
https://t.co/AX5TiEbiEi via @thecentersquare

[The Center Square @thecentersquare]

The Cost of War With Iran

Spending is rising quickly.

In just weeks: $30+ billion spent
Daily cost: nearly $891 million
Key figures:
• Up to $200 billion possible in new funding
• $8 trillion spent on post-9/11 wars

Long-term costs:
• Around $2 trillion in interest
• Ongoing veteran care
• Broader impacts on fuel, food, and the economy

How high could the cost go?
Are we entering another long-term conflict?

[The Center Square @thecentersquare]

Could a Democrat get Republican support in Pennsylvania?

GOP leaders say they’d consider backing Sen. John Fetterman in 2028 if he switches parties.

Here’s why this is getting attention:

Strong approval among Republicans
Falling support with Democrats
Alignment on issues like immigration & foreign policy

Fetterman has rejected the idea of switching parties — but the political dynamics heading into 2028 are already shifting.

Read more:
https://t.co/xCXl7urCLr

[The Center Square @thecentersquare]

Overtime trends in Allegheny County have shifted significantly over the past decade

• Sheriff and police overtime were equal in 2016
• Sheriff overtime now far exceeds police
• More high earners concentrated in the sheriff’s office

The change is raising questions about how departments allocate resources.

Read more:
https://t.co/MlpD32B7u3

[Christen Smith @cmtWordsmith]

Optimism abounds for Garrity’s second historic upset, this time against Shapiro https://t.co/GJNpnajNnO via @thecentersquare

[The Center Square @thecentersquare]

New findings show corrections officers in Western Pennsylvania are increasingly dependent on overtime, raising questions about staffing and costs.

More on The Center Square Daily.
https://t.co/avbJHwdfS7

[Christen Smith @cmtWordsmith]

Non-disclosure agreements on data centers spur talk of 'secret deals' https://t.co/YcXODmEZ5R via @thecentersquare

[The Center Square @thecentersquare]

Overtime is driving pay at Allegheny County’s jail.

107 guards earned at least half their income from overtime last year — up from just 28 in 2016.

Total overtime: $12.2M.

More:

[Christen Smith @cmtWordsmith]

Showers, toilet flushing optional as residents tackle high water bills in Pennsylvania ⁦@thecentersquare⁩ https://t.co/XXZG1XIIwh

[The Center Square @thecentersquare]

What happens when the fuel powering the supply chain gets more expensive?

U.S. diesel prices have surged, with potential impacts on groceries, deliveries and travel.

Details:
https://t.co/42dt6YRhLc

[The Center Square @thecentersquare]

Are shutdown tactics becoming a political strategy?

GOP leaders say Democrats are leveraging a partial government shutdown to push policy demands, fueling frustration on Capitol Hill.

More on The Center Square Daily.
https://t.co/TaDVZwG7BM

[Christen Smith @cmtWordsmith]

Trump tells @thecentersquare he's ‘not exactly thrilled’ with NATO https://t.co/AETU71xr3K via @YouTube