Special to the News
Republican congressional candidate Case Dixon on Wednesday released the following statement on data center development.
As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly important to America’s economic and national security, Dixon said the United States must remain competitive without abandoning the principles of free markets, local control and equal treatment under the law.
“Winning the AI race against China doesn’t require corporate welfare or special treatment for Big Tech,” Dixon said. “Too often, government bends over backwards for politically connected corporations while expecting local communities to live with the consequences. That’s wrong.”
Dixon said he opposes taxpayer subsidies, political favoritism and other forms of corporate welfare for data center projects.
“If a project only works because of taxpayer subsidies, political favors, or special treatment, it shouldn’t happen. Government shouldn’t be in the business of picking winners and losers.”
Dixon also emphasized that decisions about data center development should remain as close to the people as possible.
“I believe decisions about data center development should primarily be made at the state and local level, not in Washington. Data centers should be subject to the same permitting, environmental and zoning requirements as any other major industrial project. They shouldn’t get to play by a different set of rules simply because they’re backed by powerful corporations.”
“I’m against special treatment, crony capitalism and shifting costs onto taxpayers, ratepayers, or local communities.”
