The old saying is that even a stopped clock is right twice a day. When Governor Josh Stein came out in favor of withdrawing tax breaks for data centers, that immediately came to mind.
These data centers tend to employ relatively few people. With the advent of AI, they consume huge amounts of electricity, necessitating additional power plant construction and driving up electricity rates for homeowners and other businesses. They facilitate jobs being taken away from Americans through use of AI.
The big tech companies are the equivalent of yesteryear’s robber barons, benefiting from enormous cash flows. They can pay their taxes, just like the rest of us.
Is the sentiment of the American public relly in favor of onerous taxes on data centers?
I doubt that joe six-pack is really aware of the controversy.
I am ambivalent on the issue.
I agree with you, Fred, that the general public is likely unaware. They tend to become more aware when one is proposed to be located close to home.