Independence Voters Recall Councilmember Over AI Tax Deal

In a special election held on Tuesday night, voters in Independence, Missouri, decisively recalled District 1 City Councilmember John Perkins, receiving about 68% of the vote. This recall was a direct response to Perkins' support for a controversial $6 billion tax incentive package aimed at attracting a massive artificial intelligence facility backed by the European cloud company Nebius.

The City Council had approved a Chapter 100 bond deal that granted a 90% property tax abatement over 20 years for the proposed 400-acre AI data center campus. While proponents argued that the development would create high-paying jobs and stimulate economic growth, local residents raised serious environmental and financial concerns.

Activists contended that such tax relief for a global corporation unfairly burdened local taxpayers and strained city resources. Perkins is the third council member involved in the tax deal to lose their seat, indicating a broader trend of voter dissatisfaction with local officials who prioritize corporate interests over community welfare.