Search Results for "Westport Tesla "

Supporters of exempting Tesla from Connecticut’s automobile franchise act are on the move as the legislature enters its last 10 days of its regular session. The proposal may be considered by the Senate early this week.

Connecticut law has for decades required manufacturers to sell their cars and trucks to the public through dealerships. The dealers have long been seen as a bulwark against the market manipulation powers of manufacturers. The dealers provide service to consumers and provide the market with competition. Tesla’s supporters want to exempt the electric vehicle manufacturer from the law but dare not try to repeal the act. Instead they will extend privilege to privilege and allow Tesla to dispense with dealers required of other manufacturers.

In the pursuit of selling a car, whether it’s a traditional gasoline vehicle or an innovative electric model, having clarity on its value is paramount. With the evolving landscape of regulations and market preferences, leveraging tools like car valuation services becomes essential for sellers. These services provide individuals with comprehensive insights into their vehicle’s worth, taking into account various factors such as make, model, mileage, and condition.

Regardless of the regulatory landscape, understanding how much is my car worth to sell empowers sellers to navigate the sales process confidently, ensuring they receive fair compensation for their vehicle. As debates surrounding dealership requirements and manufacturer privileges unfold, sellers can rely on valuation tools to guide their decisions and secure favorable outcomes in the ever-changing automotive market.

Tesla’s boosters blotted their copy early this year when two state senators, Will Haskell and Bob Duff, were scheduled to appear at a Senate Democratic campaign fundraiser in Westport. The invitation to the event stated revealed donations would “provide leadership with leverage to fence-sitters” on the Tesla bill.

Haskell and Duff may have hit the fundraising target the blunt appeal claimed was essential to purchase votes. Fence-sitters could risk face harsh examination at home if they embrace the legislation. What price Tesla? Which Senate Democrats will have traded equality under the law for campaign contributions? Only a roll-call will tell.

As part of their campaign to give the trillion dollar company special treatment, last week Tesla’s supporters accused auto dealers of racism. Tesla advocates, on the other hand, appear unmoved by or unaware of workers’ complaints of abuse at a notorious company plant. California officials alleged in a February lawsuit that Tesla managers have ignored “years of complaints from Black employees at” its Fremont factory.

This month, a federal judge upheld a California jury verdict finding Tesla liable for ignoring racial abuse heaped on a Black worker at the California plant. The judge reduced the jury’s damages award to the employee to $15 million.

Brutal treatment of employees may matter little to the odd sentimentality that can sometimes poison decisions at the legislature. Sound public policy may have trouble competing with a handful of influential Democrats’ desire to give a parting gift to Haskell. The Westport Democrat is leaving for law school after two terms. Seen by some Democratic colleagues as a tiresome credit hog, Haskell has been a champion of abandoning fairness to satisfy Tesla. Leaders are said to want to hand him a win on his way out the door.

Auto dealers, often active and generous supporters of community organizations and events, will have to rouse themselves into action Monday. They will need to remind legislators they seek only what lawmakers often promise: a level playing field. It’s not a lot to expect in a place that calls itself the Constitution State.

Published April 24, 2022.

From: WestportElectricCar Club <westportevclub@gmail.com>

Date: January 30, 2022 at 1:33:00 PM EST

To: WestportElectricCar Club <westportevclub@gmail.com>

Subject: Political Fund Raiser to Support Direct Sales

Dear Member:

We have been asked to support a Democratic State Senate Victory Fund. We have been told that given that direct sales fell one vote short in the Senate last year, this will provide leverage for leadership to move fence-sitters into our column. [Emphasis added.]

We have never done something like this before and generally think of ourselves as pro-EV, pro-environmentalism, but partisan, not so much. However, there were zero Republican votes last year, which is kind of shocking for a party that purports to have a free-market ideology. So we’re supporting this and ask that you help out to the extent you can.

There is a fund-raising event being held in Westport on Sunday, Feb. 6th at 1:00 PM. It is fine to contribute online without going to the event as Westport is not convenient for everyone. This kind of event legally has to be held before the start of the legislative session, which is Feb. 9th.

The details are in the flyer below. For those who can attend, it will be good to see you. The suggested contribution is $250. The legal maximum is $2,000. Contributions in any amount are greatly appreciated. The URL in the flyer is not linkable but the website is live. You will be asked to fill out a disclosure form. I have asked for, and received, assurances that emails or phone numbers will not be used for ANYTHING. No spam here.

The Tesla club is supporting us and there is a fair amount of overlap between our organizations. If you receive two solicitations, it doesn’t matter which one you respond to. Rivian and Lucid are also helping us reach out to their reservation-holders. Of course, you don’t need to own a Tesla, Rivian, or Lucid to support this measure which will accelerate EV adoption.

Senators Haskell and Duff will be present.

We hope everyone came through the storm safely. Thank you for your consideration.

The mask has fallen away. Candidates will take million in public financing for their campaigns this year but it is only an expensive supplement. The Westport Electric Car Club reveals how it works in a January 30th fundraising solicitation posted above. The boldness of the approach recalls the Roll Your Own scandal of a decade ago.

The February 6th event at the United Feed and Commercial Workers Union building is intended to use money to influence votes to enact an exception to the state’s automobile dealer franchise act. There is nothing subtle in the message. “We have been told” that raising money for the Senate Democratic campaign committee will move votes.

The solicitation may attract the attention of Attorney General William Tong for cramming so many falsehoods into one fundraising message. The Tesla bill did not lose by one vote in the Senate last year. A vote was never held.

The transportation committee did vote on the bill. It passed 25-10. Some Republicans were among the 25, some Democrats among the 10.

It is for others to inquire who told the Westport Electric Car Club that money “will provide leverage to move fence-sitters into our column”? This is a raw attempt at buying votes, chilling in its conviction that members of the Senate Democratic caucus are for sale.

Senator Will Haskell (D-Westport) is a special guest at the event. He’s the author of a recently published book, 100,000 Bosses, on his experience in politics as a 22 year old. It did not take Haskell, who is not seeking a third term, long to become a practitioner of the seamy side of politics. His sequel could be called First $100,000 Bosses.

Published February 1, 2022.