Frank Russo Proposes Shift of Data Center Costs to Industry

Russo’s Florida Data Center Community Responsibility Act seeks to curb the strain on the state’s power grid and water supply by imposing a new statewide electrical capacity tax on operators. The plan mandates that revenue generated from these facilities be funneled directly back into the hosting cities and counties for infrastructure improvements, such as road repairs and public utility upgrades, rather than disappearing into general state coffers. Beyond taxation, the proposal sets a five-year deadline for existing centers to modernize their energy and water efficiency, while requiring new facilities to move toward energy self-sufficiency to prevent rising utility costs for residents.

To ensure accountability, the candidate proposes an end to state-funded tax subsidies for the industry and calls for independent audits of all collected funds. Russo, an entrepreneur with four decades in business, intends to pursue this policy through the legislature but has signaled a willingness to bypass Tallahassee by taking the issue directly to voters via a ballot initiative if necessary. His platform emphasizes that while Florida should aggressively compete for AI investment, such growth cannot come at the expense of local resources or the affordability of living for Florida families.