Our latest report looks into Senator Jon Husted’s history with data centers in Ohio. As Lt. Governor, he was at the center of many of the biggest data center tax break deals, and rolled out the red carpet for the free for all we’re experiencing today. 

Key findings:

• As Lieutenant Governor, Husted celebrated major data center development deals with tech giants and often referred to Ohio as the “tech capital of the Midwest.” He defended a $43.5 million exemption for a Google facility that promised  just 50 jobs, or nearly $1 million per job. Husted argued that taxing the company would drive it out of Ohio. 

• Husted did nothing to improve transparency in data center development. Big tech companies routinely use shell corporations and code names like “Montauk” and “Sidecat” to shield their identity and limit public scrutiny of the projects. 

• Ohio's average residential electricity rate rose 29% during Husted's six years as Lieutenant Governor–a trend that continues today, with rates up 34% just since 2022. 

• As a US Senator, Husted voted for legislation creating a new federal tax break for hyperscale data centers that tripled their tax savings and reduced investment requirements for rural projects.

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