Representative Haraz Ghanbari is only concerned with data center development.
According to public records, Representative Haraz Ghanbari has received over $471,000 from individuals and entities benefiting from the data center expansion in Ohio over the last four election cycles. Some of these PACs and individuals are registered lobbyists with tech companies including Meta. There is a PAC registered to the law firm that represents Meta for zoning changes in Middleton Township that has donated to him in every election cycle. This is incredibly concerning.
As a representative, Haraz has voted yes on bills that actively harm our community here in northwest Ohio. HB 15 incentivizes projects with tax breaks like the Apollo gas generation plant/pipeline that powers the Meta BG data center. The bill removed all local approval of behind-the-meter gas generation power plants and moved it to the state level Ohio Power Siting Board.
The bill mandated the fast-tracking of these plants to be approved in 45 days, a process that took months to years. The bill lowers tangible personal property tax rates for public utility companies, an estimated tax revenue loss of $629-$943 million. The reduced TPP tax on new transmission, distribution, and pipeline infrastructure is an estimated tax revenue loss of $49-$74 million annually according to the office of Ohio Legislative Service.
This tax revenue loss will be felt by local municipalities and school districts. On July 9, Haraz praised HB 15 for its role in Ohio being ranked No. 1 in business. The constituents in Wood County want clean air and water not behind the meter gas plants for hyperscale data centers.
Haraz voted for HB-96 which increases the signature requirements for townships to 35% – from 15% – for referendums. It allows for township zoning amendments tied to a designated “megaproject,” like a data center, to bypass the 30-day waiting period and referendum process entirely. This completely takes away the voice of the voters.
District 75 deserves a state representative who has our community’s best interests, not those who wish to profit from data centers. Representative Haraz Ghanbari does not listen to or care about the constituents.
Tracy Wyatt and Beth Cole
Middleton Township
