Red and Blue States Unite on AI and Data Center Rules

While partisan fights paralyze Washington, something unexpected is happening in statehouses across America: Democrats and Republicans are actually agreeing on how to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing their citizens.

Republican Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida and Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul of New York sound nearly identical when discussing artificial intelligence regulation. Both are pushing laws to protect people from AI-generated deepfakes and shield kids from companion chatbots that never reveal they're not human.

"I really fear that if this is not addressed in an intelligent and proper way, it could set off an age of darkness and deceit," DeSantis said when unveiling Florida's Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights. His proposal would make it illegal to use someone's face or voice without permission and require parental consent before anyone under 18 can chat with AI companions.

Hochul is taking similar steps in New York, proposing to ban chatbots within social media apps for minors entirely. Nearly every state now has legislation on the table to regulate AI, from requiring human oversight of AI hiring decisions to blocking surveillance technology that could charge different people different prices.

The bipartisan cooperation extends to data centers, the massive facilities that power artificial intelligence. These buildings consume enormous amounts of electricity and water, raising concerns about utility costs for everyday residents.

DeSantis says arguments that data centers will create jobs and lower property taxes are overblown. Democratic and Republican lawmakers in states from Oklahoma to Maine are proposing limits or temporary bans on new data center construction until the infrastructure can handle them.

Even housing is bringing the parties together. Florida's Senate gave full bipartisan support to a bill loosening restrictions on accessory dwelling units, the small homes or apartments that can be added to existing properties. Dozens of states are working on proposals to cut building regulations and strengthen tenant protections.

The Ripple Effect

The state-level collaboration is remarkable because it's happening despite Washington gridlock and even opposition from the White House. President Trump issued an executive order trying to stop states from regulating AI on their own, but legislators from both parties are moving forward anyway.

Tech companies are pushing back hard, pouring money into campaigns and arguing that 50 different state laws would be impossible to follow. But governors and legislators seem convinced that protecting their residents matters more than making things easy for Silicon Valley.

The cooperation shows that when issues directly affect people's daily lives, their energy bills, their kids' safety online, their ability to afford housing, partisan labels matter less than practical solutions.