Republican Leader Criticizes Senate for Stalling Data Center Regulation Bill
In a bold move, Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos has openly criticized his GOP colleagues in the Senate for not advancing a significant data center regulation bill. He described this issue as one of the most substantial he’s encountered during his 22-year tenure.
Speaking at a WisPolitics event held at the Madison Club, Vos expressed his disappointment as the state Senate gathered nearby for what was anticipated to be their final session day of the year.
The proposed legislation, which gained approval in the Assembly in January, failed to make the Senate’s agenda. This bill sought to introduce data reporting and water recycling mandates for data centers and required these centers to bear the costs of upgrading the state’s power grid. Additionally, it stipulated that if a data center project was abandoned, the land would revert to its original use.
Vos remarked, “I think it is absolutely sad the state Senate is not voting on data center regulation,” emphasizing the widespread use of data centers’ services.
He warned that this decision might impact the Senate’s standing in the November elections, as they face a Democratic challenge to their majority. Vos highlighted that many provisions of the bill enjoy broad public support, referring to them as “80 percent issues.”
Vos stated, “The idea that … we’re going to not require data centers to pay their own way, that we’re not going to say that if they leave — which, they certainly could at some point, become obsolete — that they’re not going to become a brownfield,” underscoring the importance of a Senate vote on the bill to maintain their majority.
Ongoing Discussions on Property Tax and School Funding
Additionally, Vos touched on ongoing discussions with Democratic Governor Tony Evers regarding a deal to decrease property taxes and enhance education funding, including special education. Despite months of negotiations, Vos indicated that a special session might be necessary to finalize the deal later this year. “If we do it, it’s not going to be this week,” he clarified.
He expressed a desire for the proposal to remain focused, avoiding the inclusion of unrelated provisions from the past legislative session.
Reflecting on Legislative Career and Future
Reflecting on his legislative career, Vos, who recently announced he would not seek reelection, shared insights on his evolution from an ideologue to a pragmatic leader. Following a close primary challenge, he decided to step down on his own terms, citing unsuccessful recall efforts by figures like Mike Lindell as a motivating factor.
“The pillow guy and all the whack jobs couldn’t stop themselves, right?” he commented. “So, screw them.”
Vos remarked on his growth over two decades in office, stating, “If the 2005 freshman Robin met the 2026 speaker, he would be deeply disappointed … because when I ran for office, I was much more ideological.” He emphasized his current preference for compromise and progress over rigid ideological stances.
He also advocated for a deliberate legislative process, both in Washington and Madison, suggesting that executive power concentration is detrimental to society. “That’s worse for society, because it reinforces (the idea that) one person gets their way. They don’t have to compromise,” Vos explained, advocating for consensus-building.
