25th Assembly District Candidates Make Feelings Known on Education, Data Centers, and More
Candidates for Wisconsin's 25th Assembly District debated data center tax exemptions. Challenger Chris Able expressed concerns about the long-term economic benefits of incentives, while incumbent Paul Tittl defended tax credits, citing potential tax revenue for local communities.
Paul Tittl, the incumbent for Wisconsin's 25th Assembly District, and challenger Chris Able debated state-level issues including data center tax exemptions. The candidates discussed tax incentives provided through the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) for data center construction.
Able expressed concerns about the effectiveness of these tax incentives, arguing that while they create construction jobs, the long-term career options are limited, and overly large incentives might cost more in tax revenue than they generate. He indicated he would need to review projections from the Legislative Fiscal Bureau before supporting such measures.
Tittl, who previously voted for a data center tax credit bill for building materials, defended the incentives. He acknowledged that data centers might not bring many high-paying jobs but emphasized their potential to generate significant tax revenue for local communities, citing a positive example from Virginia.
This discussion highlights differing views on economic development strategies and the role of state-level tax policy in attracting technology infrastructure to Wisconsin.