Political analysts go 'On the Record' about data centers, state senate recount
Political analysts discussed Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey's executive order requiring new data centers to obtain local approval and provide clean energy or contribute to a state fund. They also debated Healey's earlier data center tax incentive, her decision to pause the exemption, and Republican challenger Mike Minogue's opposition to new construction.
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey's executive order on data centers was the focus of a WCVB political roundtable featuring Republican analyst Lizzy Guyton and Democratic analyst Mary Anne Marsh. The order would require local approval for facilities seeking state permits and would require new data centers to supply their own clean energy or pay into a state fund. Healey previously signed legislation containing a data center sales-tax exemption but paused the exemption in June.
The analysts said data centers have become politically unpopular and argued that Healey's policies could become an issue in her reelection campaign. Guyton said Republican challenger Mike Minogue was politically justified in criticizing Healey for previously welcoming data center development, while Marsh called for stronger regulation and national guardrails for data centers and artificial intelligence. The discussion did not identify a specific project or a local government decision.