STATE OF FRIDAY: The Biggest Loser Besides The GOP Tuesday? Data Centers

Voters delivered a lopsided verdict against data centers in this week's elections, handing the tech industry a defeat that has drawn less notice than the Republican losses. Ten states put 41 local data center measures before voters Tuesday, and of 47 decided across 13 states this year, 46 went against the companies, Daily Caller reports. Ohio's 11 charter amendments curbing the facilities appear headed for passage, a few with more than three-quarters support.

Money did not decide the outcomes. Tech firms put over $400,000 into fighting the Ohio restrictions, and in an Oregon town of fewer than 20,000 residents, opponents of the limits raised $335,000. Supporters of restrictions there collected only $4,600 and prevailed anyway.

The outlet ties the result to worries about higher power bills, water consumption and lost farmland, and says the promised permanent jobs are scarce, with finished facilities usually employing under 100 people. An ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos survey from October showed 72 percent of Americans opposed such a project near them. President Donald Trump has said critics are choosing "poverty, crime and squalor." The outlet argues Washington should take note of issues that unite voters across party lines.

Summarized by PolitiKool from Daily Caller’s reporting. Read the full story at Daily Caller →