Costs, data centers, Trump: Governor candidates debate at Kansas State fair
Gubernatorial candidates Ty Masterson and Cindy Holscher debated various issues at the Kansas State Fair, including affordability, water shortages, and data center development policy. Both candidates discussed the need for guardrails around data center construction across Kansas, with Masterson claiming existing legislative measures are in place and Holscher advocating for new ones. Water conservation and property taxes were also key points of contention.
Kansas gubernatorial candidates Ty Masterson (R) and Cindy Holscher (D) engaged in their first debate at the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson on September 12, addressing a range of issues including state affordability, water shortages, and the role of data centers in the state's future. The debate highlighted their differing approaches to fiscal policy and economic development.
Holscher, a state senator from Johnson County, attributed affordability issues to state tax breaks for the wealthy and argued for legalizing medical and recreational cannabis to generate more tax revenue. She also criticized the underfunding of special education, which she said shifts the burden to local property taxes. Masterson, the current president of the Kansas Senate, countered with a plan focused on reducing spending and constraining local governments' ability to levy property taxes, advocating for a homeowners' bill of rights.
On the topic of water resources, particularly the declining Ogallala Aquifer affecting western Kansas farmers, Masterson highlighted increased funding during his tenure and emphasized local decision-making with accountability. Holscher, who served on the water committee, stressed listening to farmers' needs and implementing irrigation methods, criticizing former Governor Sam Brownback for not funding a previously developed water plan.
Data center development also emerged as a significant point of discussion. Holscher expressed concern about the potential proliferation of data centers "across the state" without proper regulation, advocating for "appropriate guardrails" to be in place. Masterson asserted that the legislature had already implemented such guardrails, including provisions for data centers to pay for their own electricity, and underscored his commitment to growth while protecting natural resources.