Hong Campaign Calls for AI Data Center Construction Moratorium, Unveils Plan to Protect Taxpayers and Environment

MADISON — State Rep. Francesca Hong, Democratic Candidate for Governor, today called for a statewide moratorium on AI data center construction, unveiling a comprehensive policy plan to regulate corporations and ensure development delivers long-term benefits to Wisconsin.

Called CONTROL-ALT-DELETE, Hong’s plan is built on three core objectives:

• CONTROL-ling our
• ALT-ernative energy and
• DELETE-ing corporate subsidies

Hong’s policy framework outlines a series of rules to eliminate tax breaks for corporations, prevent rate hikes for consumers, enforce environmental protections and transform Wisconsin’s energy infrastructure through public ownership.

“Our plan is simple: Hit pause on all data center construction until we better understand its consequences and have robust plans to protect Wisconsinites from negative environmental impacts, not to mention the energy costs footed by our taxpayers. We all lived through the Foxconn era — we’ve seen what happens when politicians prioritize corporations over people. From now on, we’re putting Wisconsin families first.”

“While some data centers support companies that create jobs and contribute meaningfully to local economies, this isn’t the case for a new wave of AI-focused data centers with massive energy needs and no ties to local industry. It’s a bad deal for everyday people.”

Hong’s plan calls for sales and use tax exemptions to be tied to concrete ongoing economic activity in the state and further mandates that sales and use tax revenues from data centers must be channeled into developing emissions-free energy infrastructure owned and operated by the state or local governments.

“If Big Tech wants to build in Wisconsin, it won’t be at the expense of hardworking families. Wisconsin deserves better — we deserve community-directed regional development and union jobs that empower working families. Our communities come before corporate profits.”

For more information on Francesca Hong and her AI data center plan, please contact press@francescahong.com.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.