Ramaswamy discusses data centers, property taxes in Marietta
Vivek Ramaswamy shares a laugh with Schafer Leather Store owner, Rob Schafer Friday morning. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
From left, Vivek Ramaswamy, following a town hall meeting in Marietta, shares a conversation with Morgan County resident Edward Mitchell Friday afternoon. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
From left Vivek and Apoorva Ramsawamy address questions during a town hall meeting Friday afternoon as part of Vivek's campaign trail. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
Washington County resident George Banzinger shares his concerns regarding data centers during a town hall for gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy Friday. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
Vivek Ramaswamy shares a laugh with Schafer Leather Store owner, Rob Schafer Friday morning. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
From left, Vivek Ramaswamy, following a town hall meeting in Marietta, shares a conversation with Morgan County resident Edward Mitchell Friday afternoon. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
From left Vivek and Apoorva Ramsawamy address questions during a town hall meeting Friday afternoon as part of Vivek's campaign trail. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
Washington County resident George Banzinger shares his concerns regarding data centers during a town hall for gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy Friday. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
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MARIETTA - Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy used a campaign visit to Marietta on Friday to outline proposals addressing data centers, property taxes and services for veterans while marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Ramaswamy met with Gold Star families, local firefighters, police chiefs and the Washington County sheriff during the visit. He also stopped at local businesses, including Shaver's, which he described as an example of the family-owned businesses that form the backbone of Ohio's economy.
"I want to see a renaissance for Appalachia, for Marietta, for every part of the state," Ramaswamy said. "I think it's really important that we talk to some of these small-business owners to hear their perspectives on what we can do to make hiring easier."
Ramaswamy, who is running against Democratic nominee Amy Acton in the November election, was joined by his wife, Apoorva, and introduced by Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose.
Ramaswamy recalled being in a history class at St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati when he learned about the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
"The thing I remember about that day is that we were all Americans, regardless of race, regardless of gender, regardless of political party," he said. "We were Americans, and you know what? Twenty-five years later, to the day, we still are."
During a question-and-answer session, Washington County resident George Banzinger asked Ramaswamy how he would ensure proposed data center developments provide lasting benefits to Appalachian communities rather than only temporary construction jobs.
Ramaswamy said he would sign an executive order on his first day in office halting announcements of new data center construction projects until the state passes comprehensive legislation governing them.
He said his proposal would require projects to provide tangible benefits to surrounding communities, including lower electric bills and property tax relief. It would also prioritize abandoned industrial sites over farmland, establish water-quality requirements and mandate landscaping to limit noise and visual effects.
"The benefits have to accrue to the community in tangible ways, or else it's not going to get built," Ramaswamy said.
He also called for greater transparency in negotiations surrounding data center projects, including limits on nondisclosure agreements.
Ramaswamy said economic development should reach Southeast Ohio while protecting communities and natural resources.
"My job is to fight for the people of this state to have a better life and to ensure that any economic development that comes to the state happens on terms that improve the lives of the 12 million Ohioans who are in this state," he said.
Ramaswamy also outlined what he called a veterans-first policy built around three priorities. Those included connecting Gold Star families with others who have experienced similar losses, providing veterans with up to six months of paid workforce training as they return to civilian life and expanding access to treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder.
He said telehealth services and transportation to Department of Veterans Affairs facilities should be available to veterans who live far from treatment centers.
The candidate also repeated his proposal to roll property taxes back to pre-pandemic levels and limit their future growth. He said state funding and money recovered by fighting Medicaid fraud could help prevent the rollback from reducing funding for schools, police, fire departments or veterans services.
"We will be able to do that without hurting local police, fire, schools or veteran services," Ramaswamy said. "Those are hard red lines."
Ramaswamy said he wants Ohio to move away from relying so heavily on local property taxes to fund schools and other essential services. He also said starting salaries for public school teachers should be higher.
When Morgan County resident Edward Mitchell asked about sanctuary cities, Ramaswamy said he supports cooperation between local and federal law enforcement on immigration matters. He also said he would consider withholding state funding from cities that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
Closing the event, Ramaswamy said his campaign was seeking voters' trust and support rather than financial contributions. He said his repeated visits to Marietta reflected his commitment to communities outside central Ohio.
"I'm not running to be mayor of Greater Columbus," he said. "I'm running to be governor of all of Ohio, including Southeast Ohio."