IOWA REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR ZACH LAHN HAS RAISED CONCERNS ABOUT TAX BREAKS FOR NEW DATA CENTERS, BUT SAYS LOCAL OFFICIALS SHOULD RETAIN THE POWER TO REGULATE THE FACILITIES.
https://kscj.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/LAHNDATA1.mp3
LAHNDATA1 OC……..THAT’S PROGRESS.” :20
LAHN MIGHT SUPPORT A STATE LAW THAT WOULD FORBID TAX BREAKS FOR DATA CENTERS.
https://kscj.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/LAHNDATA2.mp3
LAHNDATA2 OC…….IDEA TO ME.” :15
LAHN SAYS HE IS 100% IN FAVOR OF LOCAL CONTROL AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, AND STATES MUST ALSO CHALLENGE FEDERAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS THAT SHOULD BE MADE AT THE STATE LEVEL.
https://kscj.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/LAHNDATA3.mp3
LAHNDATA3 OC……..ABILITY TO SUE.” :14
DEMOCRAT ROB SAND SAYS IF HE’S ELECTED GOVERNOR OF IOWA, HE’D SIGN A BILL BANNING TAX BREAKS FOR DATA CENTERS.
SAND HAS BEEN DISCUSSING THE TOPIC ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL AND POSTED THIS STATEMENT ON SOCIAL MEDIA IN JULY.
https://kscj.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/SANDDATA1.mp3
SANDDATA1 OC…….EVERBODY ELSE. :14
DATA CENTERS CAN CLAIM SALES TAX REFUNDS ON COMPUTER PURCHASES.
THERE’S ALSO A PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR THE COMPUTERS AND EQUIPMENT USED TO OPERATE A DATA CENTER.
SAND ON TUESDAY RELEASED A SERIES OF STEPS HE SAYS WILL ENSURE DATA CENTERS ARE CONTRIBUTING TO IOWA’S ECONOMY, LIKE REQUIRING DATA CENTERS TO PAY 100 PERCENT OF THE COSTS OF INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES AND ENERGY USAGE.
SAND SAYS ANY DATA CENTER DEAL WITH A LOCAL IOWA GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE A PUBLIC RECORD AND INCLUDE INFORMATION ABOUT WATER AND ENERGY USAGE AS WELL AS THE WAGES WORKERS WILL BE PAID.
https://kscj.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/SANDDATA2.mp3
SANDDATA2 OC……..MONEY GOES, TOO.” :07
SAND SAYS DATA CENTERS SHOULD HIRE CONSTRUCTION WORKERS WHO ARE IOWA UNION MEMBERS AND THERE SHOULD BE OPEN PUBLIC HEARINGS AND TOWN HALLS WHEN DATA CENTERS ARE PROPOSED IN A CITY OR COUNTY.
RADIO IOWA/file photo
The post IOWA GOVERNOR CANDIDATES WEIGH IN ON DATA CENTERS appeared first on KSCJ 1360.
