Jocelyn Benson Calls for Moratorium on Data Centers in New “Michigan First” Ad

Today, Jocelyn Benson is out with her latest statewide television ad, “Michigan First,” where she pledges to put people over profits as the next Governor — calling for a moratorium on data center projects in Michigan, an end to tax breaks for data center companies, and safeguards that ensure data centers don’t raise electricity bills for Michiganders. Jocelyn called for a moratorium on data centers until we can put strict, enforceable guardrails in place to protect Michiganders, and require them to hire Michigan union workers.

While Jocelyn is putting Michiganders first, John James bought stock in data center companies, cut their taxes through Trump’s Big Ugly Bill, and voted 4 times against local control over data center projects.

Meanwhile, Jocelyn’s plan is clear:

Public hearings to ensure projects do not go through without residents having the opportunity to share their concerns.
Transparency and disclosure reporting to ensure no backdoor deals that exclude communities.
Requiring developers to prove prior to construction that the data center will not abuse natural resources – from water to land – and it will not drive up energy costs for Michiganders.
Data centers bear the cost of additional energy usage. Not the consumer.
Union contracts that ensure the creation of well-paying jobs.

See below for the ad and transcript:

Watch “Michigan First”

Transcript:

Michigan farmer: They want to take our land, our water, jack up our electric bills.

I’m talking about data centers.

John James bought stock in data center companies, cut their taxes, and tried to shove them down our throats.

Now, they’re bankrolling his campaign.

He profits, we pay for it.

Jocelyn Benson will take them on and put Michigan first.

Jocelyn Benson: We need to put a moratorium on data centers, end their tax breaks, and stop them from raising our electric bills.

So that people, not profit, come first.

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