Budget & Taxes across the country

This resolution expresses the sense of the House that communities impacted by artificial intelligence data centers should have the right to transparency and local control over their development. It outlines a proposed set of guidelines that would allow local governments to ban data centers near homes and schools, require public impact reports on water and energy use, and mandate that operators pay their fair share in taxes. The bill also suggests mechanisms for communities to pause construction until protections against higher electricity bills and water shortages are established, while ensuring developers provide affordable housing and environmental safeguards. Ultimately, the measure aims to empower local authorities to regulate data center operations without being overruled by state laws, focusing on health, environmental, and economic concerns.

This bill allows second-class townships in Pennsylvania to vote on adding a new local tax to fund their police departments. Under the proposed changes, a township board of supervisors can place a referendum on the ballot to approve an annual tax of up to three mills on real property. If voters approve the measure, the collected funds would be used specifically to support the local police force. The tax would be collected in cash and would become effective 60 days after the bill is passed.

HB 981 amends state laws to allow local governments to create joint economic development districts where they can levy income taxes on businesses and employees operating within those areas. The bill defines specific rules for forming these districts, such as requiring the participating areas to be geographically connected and ensuring that no residents live inside the district boundaries. It also establishes how different local governments can share costs and revenue generated from these taxes to fund improvements and services. Additionally, the legislation clarifies which types of entities and individuals are considered businesses or owners for tax purposes and sets standards for what counts as mixed-use development.