Congressional candidates debate economy, data centers
Candidates split over whether data centers should expand in the district, as supporters cite $27 billion in GDP and opponents warn about water use.
- Former state Rep. Amish Shah, D-Phoenix, now opposes data centers in Arizona's 1st Congressional District, despite voting to support industry tax incentives while serving in the state legislature.
- During his tenure, Shah voted for House Bill 2649 in 2021 and Senate Bill 1274, supporting tax breaks that cost the state an estimated $63.5 million between Fiscal Years 2023 and 2025.
- Public opinion appears skeptical, with nearly 60% of registered voters opposing new facilities, while Republican candidate Jay Feely argues developers should cover infrastructure costs to lower rates for residents.
- Josh Heywood, executive director of Project 48 Arizona, noted the industry generated over $1 billion in 2024 tax revenue while using only 0.15% of the state's annual water supply.
- Arizona Republican Party Chairman Sergio Arellano noted voters have "legitimate concerns" about infrastructure, adding that "most reasonable people understand that data centers are necessary.
38 Articles
38 Articles
Congressional candidates debate economy, data centers - Regional Media News
(The Center Square) - Cost of living, immigration, water and data centers were among the issues debated Wednesday night by candidates for Arizona's Congressional District 1. Presented in partnership with Clean Elections, the Citizens' Clean Elections Commission and the Arizona Media Association, the event offered [...]
Dem Congressional Candidate Amish Shah Ensured Mass Data Center Expansion in Arizona
In a bid to capture more voters, Arizona congressional candidate Amish Shah is telling the 1st Congressional District to beware his opponent for supporting data centers, while supporting them himself. Shah, the Democratic nominee, has also avoided mention of his past work on behalf of data centers. While in the state legislature, Shah worked to...
Rotten Hypocrite: Amish Shah Attacks Jay Feely On Data Centers After Voting Twice For Data Center Tax Breaks
Amish Shah got exposed as a brazen hypocrite on data centers in a new investigative report. Shah’s record: In the state legislature, Shah voted repeatedly for massive tax breaks for data centers, including a 10-year extension through 2033. Arizona taxpayers have already paid $63.5 million for those breaks. Shah reduced local communities’ control over data centers at the State Capitol and sent taxpayers the bill. The hypocrisy: Now, Shah and nat…
Congressional candidate opposes data centers despite previous vote for tax break - The Daily Bo Snerdley
Editor’s Note This is part of the previews of the Nov. 3 general election in Arizona. Early ballots are scheduled to be mailed Wednesday. On Nov. 3, polls are open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, go to azsos.gov/elections. Early results will be published on the night of Nov. 3 at www.thecentersquare.com/ arizona. (The Center Square) – An Arizona candidate in a key congressional race has expressed opposition to data centers being built i…
Congressional candidate opposes data centers despite previous vote for tax break
(The Center Square) - An Arizona candidate in a key congressional race has expressed opposition to data centers being built in his district, even though as a state legislator, he voted for giving the centers a tax break that cost…
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