Virginia General Assembly deliberating budget over data center tax cuts

The Virginia General Assembly is deliberating the state budget, with a key focus on data center tax cuts. Some lawmakers want to end the state's sales tax exemption for data center equipment, which could generate $1.6-$6 billion in annual revenue, but others warn it could deter future data center investments. Local groups like the Southwestern Virginia Data Center Transparency Alliance are also concerned about the impact of new projects like the upcoming Google data center in Botetourt County. This debate highlights the tensions between data center growth, tax policy, and community concerns in Virginia.