Staff Reports
Senate President Pro Tempore L. Louise Lucas just gave Virginia politics a new catchphrase: she called Governor Abigail Spanberger the “Data Center Diva.” It was not a cute nickname tossed in private. Lucas said it on camera and blasted it across social media as budget talks over data‑center tax breaks stalled. The quarrel has turned a routine budget fight into a public, messy drama that voters will notice — and not in a good way.
What started the fight: big tax breaks and a big hole in revenue
The battle is over Virginia’s sales‑and‑use tax exemption for data‑center equipment. Lawmakers and state reports show that exemption costs Virginia roughly $1.6 billion to $1.9 billion a year in lost tax revenue. The law has a long sunset date on the books, but Senate negotiators led by Lucas want to end the break sooner — as early as the 2027 budget window — to help pay for schools, public safety and other needs.
Politics, nicknames and the budget clock
Lucas has gone from policy critic to headline seeker by dubbing Spanberger the “Data Center Diva” and calling House Speaker Don Scott “Amazon Don.” That rhetoric puts pressure on the governor and House leaders, who argue Virginia must stay competitive to keep data centers and jobs. Spanberger has pushed for a slower approach — a study or commission and careful steps so the state does not scare off investment. Meanwhile, the public feud is loud, the budget deadline is near, and yes, Lucas is also the subject of a federal probe that drew FBI attention earlier — a fact that adds spice to the headline but should not distract from the real work.
Fix the budget, not the headlines
Here’s the conservative take: voters want a budget that balances fairness and growth, not nicknames or theater. Incentives can be smart policy when they attract jobs and investment. But when an exemption costs taxpayers more than a billion dollars a year, leaders have to explain tradeoffs and be honest about long‑term plans. That means either a clear sunset or a fair phaseout with protections for communities and the power grid — not a shouting match that risks a government shutdown.
Wrap up: stop the circus, pass the budget
Virginia’s leaders should quit the soap opera and get back to work. The “Data Center Diva” line might make for good television, but it won’t pay the bills or fix energy strain where data centers sit. Lawmakers need to negotiate a sensible path that keeps Virginia competitive while protecting taxpayers. If Democrats can’t even settle this among themselves, voters will gladly remember who made the mess when it’s time to clean up.
