Minnesotans across the state—urban and rural, Democrat and Republican alike—are coming together around a simple principle: the public deserves to know what is happening in their own communities.

Right now, massive data center projects are being proposed and approved under a veil of secrecy. Local officials have signed non-disclosure agreements that prevent them from sharing critical details with the very people they were elected to represent. In some cases, even planning commissioners and city council members did not fully know what they were voting on. Residents have found out about multi-million square foot developments near their homes only after decisions were already made.

Minnesotans have a fundamental right to have a voice in decisions that affect their communities.

We urge the Minnesota State Legislature—especially bill authors like Senator Erin Maye Quade, Representative Emma Greenman, and Representative Drew Roach—to pass legislation that bans NDAs between local governments and private developers, and requires full public disclosure and meaningful public hearings for all proposed data center projects. We also call on Governor Tim Walz to support and sign this legislation into law.

Local governments exist to serve the public—not to operate in secrecy with private corporations. While data centers may bring jobs and tax revenue, those benefits should never come at the cost of silencing communities or bypassing democratic processes.

Minnesota has a strong tradition of open government. Now is the time to protect it.

Decisions of this scale that have significant impact on communities' water, energy, land, economy, and quality of life must happen in the light of day, with the full participation of the people they impact.

Sign this petition to stand for transparency, accountability, and the right to be heard.