Governor JB Pritzker will temporarily suspend the processing of applications for data center tax breaks starting July 1st, citing concerns about the rapid expansion of the industry. This move comes as lawmakers did not act on his previous request to halt incentives for a comprehensive review of the impact on communities, consumer utility bills, and water consumption. The Governor intends to convene lawmakers, labor groups, utility companies, local governments, and industry leaders in the fall to establish a framework for responsible data center development, focusing on affordability, natural resource protection, and ensuring data centers “pay their fair share.”
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It’s quite something to read about Virginia’s governor ending tax breaks for groups that celebrate the Confederacy. Honestly, my first thought was, “Wait, we were *giving* tax breaks to groups that actively honor traitors to the United States?” The fact that this decision is happening so far after the Civil War, to the point where it feels like we’re still dealing with the aftermath over 160 years later, is frankly astonishing. It makes you wonder why this wasn’t addressed much, much sooner.
The discussion around this topic highlights a fundamental difference in how people view “America.” For some, particularly those who lean conservative, “America” seems to represent a nostalgic, often idealized, past.… Continue reading
The tax law enacted by congressional Republicans and President Donald Trump has significantly benefited Amazon, dramatically reducing its 2025 tax bill even as profits soared and significant layoffs occurred. Amazon’s current U.S. taxes decreased to $1.2 billion from $9 billion, while pretax U.S. profits rose by 44.5% to $89.5 billion, a reduction largely attributed to corporate-friendly depreciation tax breaks. This windfall for corporations like Amazon comes as other tax benefits were cut, potentially exacerbating the medical debt crisis and favoring dominant firms over vulnerable populations.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood