Kathy Hochul's business-friendly data center plan

New York's Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul (D) is positioning herself as a data center advocate who is not explicitly anti-business, despite the competing interests of her constituents and the progressive Democratic party. In an interview with Axios, Hochul emphasized the importance of avoiding demonization of business and focusing on protecting her constituents, stating that if this approach helps Democrats win, she would embrace it.

The governor's approach to data centers is centered around achieving affordability, worker well-being, and environmental sustainability. New York is currently the focal point for the affordability debate, with Hochul trying to navigate the balance between maintaining her business relationships and addressing the concerns of her constituents.

Hochul has proposed a short one-year moratorium on data center construction, while more progressive Democrats advocate for a longer moratorium contingent on achieving AI safety and other lofty goals. Progressive Democrats in her own state also support longer moratoriums, but Hochul has not committed to backing that position.

In an effort to address the impact of AI on workers, Hochul recently held a roundtable with women whose jobs are affected by AI, emphasizing the importance of human interaction and the need for AI to augment, not replace, human roles. Despite her business-friendly approach, Hochul remains at a distance from progressive Democrats, allowing her to maintain strong relationships with businesses in New York.