The Politics Hour: Latest on Potomac River sewage spill and Montgomery County's data center debate

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser this week declared the Potomac River sewage spill a public emergency while also requesting federal help and money for cleanup. It's the latest move in a local disaster that has turned political. NBC 4 Washington reporter Mark Segraves joined Kojo and Tom to break down what exactly happened, how local officials are trying to manage the crisis, and what comes next.The data center debate has come to Montgomery County. Elected officials in recent weeks have taken competing stances on the best way to manage data center growth, including a proposal to restrict them to industrial areas. Montgomery County Council Vice President Marilyn Balcomb represents the area around one controversial project. She got behind the mic to discuss why it's important for the county to limit where developers can build data centers, but still believes they have a place in the county.Balcombe said the county needs to think about data centers as a source of tax revenue. The county currently has four data centers, with a fifth being built in her district. “Roughly $10 million per year per data center. So, if we have five data centers, that would be $50 million, she said. "That's a lot of money when we think about how to balance our budget."A public hearing for the proposed zoning amendment is scheduled for Tuesday. The Virginia General Assembly session hit its midpoint this week, known as "Crossover Day," with approved bills moving forward to the other chamber. Virginia House Delegate Adele McClure, who represents Arlington County, joined us from Richmond to break down the docket and her priorities as the session moves into its final weeks. Plus, we discussed the latest court ruling halting Virginia's redistricting referendum.Send us questions and comments for guests: [email protected] us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885Follow us on Bluesky: bsky.app/wamu.org