Rep. McCormick: Why I'm against tax breaks for data centers | On Balance
Georgia Representative Richard McCormick voiced his opposition to tax breaks for data centers, highlighting that Georgia has foregone $500 million in tax revenue due to these incentives. He argues that data centers are already profitable, don't require tax handouts, and that the public is often misinformed about their true impacts, suggesting military bases as an alternative development location.
U.S. Representative Richard McCormick of Georgia, a member of the House Oversight Committee, expressed his firm opposition to granting tax breaks for data centers. Speaking on NewsNation's "On Balance with Leland Vittert," McCormick argued that such incentives are unnecessary handouts to billionaires, citing that Georgia has already given up $500 million in tax revenue for data centers.
McCormick challenged common misconceptions about data centers, stating that modern facilities are not noisy, hot, or significant water consumers, often circulating water and using central fuel cells to be net positive in energy production. He contended that the public is largely unaware of these benefits and the substantial tax revenue data centers can generate for local communities, which could fund schools and facilities.
He suggested that data centers should be built on military bases, where opposition is less likely and they could contribute to the base's energy needs. McCormick also raised concerns about potential foreign influence, suggesting that committees opposing data center development might be funded by competitors seeking to hinder U.S. technological advancement in a global competition for dominance. He emphasized the critical importance of getting data center development right to avoid falling behind other nations.