The Progressive-Conservative Approach to AI Data Centers

If I Were Your Congressman this week

It’s another big week for data centers in Michigan.

On Monday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer appeared alongside OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, a man who colleagues call a pathological liar, at the groundbreaking for OpenAI’s gargantuan data center (“The Barn”) in Saline Township.

While the governor’s support for data centers has been known, I’m frankly surprised that she would appear so publicly at this photo op. It’s a slap in the face to Saline residents, who are learning the hard way that we really do live in an oligarchy – a system in which a wealthy elite get their way, regardless of the will of the majority.

Let’s review how we got here: Saline residents overwhelmingly opposed this project. Their township board listened, and denied zoning approval. The developers then sued the township. Unable to afford an expensive legal battle against the richest corporations in the world, township leaders folded and allowed the data center to move forward. The behemoth Barn will use more energy than the city of Detroit, and permanently transform this rural community.

Big Tech is following the same playbook in Lyon Township, where I joined hundreds of residents on Monday evening speaking out against the proposed “Project Flex” data center in their town. The developer is threatening to sue to force through approvals.

Transparency, accountability, and meaningful community control have been completely absent from Big Tech’s push into Michigan. Instead we get bullying, “lawfare,” and condescension. This is a profoundly immoral, undemocratic, and selfish approach.

Don’t take my word for it. Take it from a global authority on morality – the Pope. In his recent encyclical letter on artificial intelligence, Pope Leo XIV argues that AI is a powerful technology that must be used to meet actual social needs rather than the whims of billionaires. For this to happen, technology must “not be imposed from above in an opaque and unilateral manner, but instead be directed towards the common good with transparency, accountability and meaningful forms of participation.” He goes on to say, “Development is not truly human if it increases consumption for some while shifting costs and burdens onto others, or relegates entire regions to subordinate roles, preventing them from realizing their full potential.”

“Relegation into subordinate roles” is exactly what the governor and Sam Altman are doing to Saline, Lyon, Howell, Mason, and other communities targeted for hyperscale data centers. The future of these places is being written by California oligarchs, rather than from the bottom up by the people who live there.

I’m called a progressive candidate, and I’m proud to be endorsed by leading progressives like Senator Bernie Sanders. But I consider my approach on data centers to be essentially conservative.

We are discussing a super-powerful technology, controlled by people of dubious morals, who promise to reshape towns, cities, education, the workforce, and warfare. It would be reckless endangerment to embrace this change without first slowing down to make sure we get it right. Our current political leaders, on both sides of the aisle, are getting it wrong.

Votes of Note In DC

Congress was on Memorial Day recess last week, meaning no floor votes. But the news didn’t stop.

Trump’s $1.8 billion slush fund is dead for now. The DOJ’s “Anti-Weaponization Fund” — designed to pay Trump allies and January 6th defendants with taxpayer money — collapsed this week. Two federal judges blocked it. Senate Republicans revolted. Acting AG Todd Blanche told Congress: “We are not moving forward with the fund, period.” Even Mitch McConnell called it “utterly stupid” and “morally wrong.” (NPR)

Iran war powers clock is ticking. Before recess, Rep. Meeks forced the Iran War Powers Resolution onto the floor, starting a legislative clock. The House must vote on it this week, according to their own rules. Barrett will have to go on record again on whether this unauthorized war should continue without Congress’s say. I would vote to end this disastrous and expensive war. (NYT)

Tlaib introduces Lebanon war powers resolution. Rep Rashida Tlaib introduced a resolution to stop the U.S. from providing logistical support for Israel’s invasion of Lebanon, which has killed over 3,000 people and seized territory in southern Lebanon. She said, “Our country should not be assisting or supporting indiscriminate bombings and forced displacement anywhere, including Lebanon.” I would support this resolution. (Common Dreams)

District Notes

Lansing Housing Commission opened 111 new apartments. Riverview 220 and Grand Vista Place on Grand Avenue downtown are now welcoming tenants. When the waitlist opened, 3,000 people applied. Families are moving in this week. I welcome this investment and will work as your Congressman to build affordable housing for people at every stage of life. (WILX)

Capital Area District Library is moving its local history collection to a new facility in Alaiedon Township. Historical records, school yearbooks, and genealogy materials dating to 1846 are leaving the flood-prone basement of the Downtown Lansing library for a climate-controlled space with room to grow. Go check it out! (Lansing State Journal)

Don’t forget to get outside and enjoy Pure Michigan! It’s been absolutely gorgeous weather lately. If you’re looking for a new summer hangout, the Livingston Daily has a cheat sheet on 13 swimming spots in Livingston County. (Livingston Daily)