Tesla-related bills argued in Nevada Legislature
Bills designed to lure Palo Alto-based Tesla Motors’ $5-billion battery factory to Nevada are making their way through the state legislature in Carson City.
The bills are part of a package promoted by Gov. Brian Sandoval to bring a key part of Elon Musk’s electric car maker to his state.
Sandoval last week announced a deal that would bring $100 billion in revenue to Nevada over the next 20 years.
The deal includes $1.3 billion in tax breaks and other inducements but would bring the state needed jobs and investments. Tesla’s massive battery factory will employ 6,500 workers when it’s up and running, but construction of the factory will also require thousands of workers.
Among the bills to be presented are Assembly Bill 1, which would give Tesla a discount on energy use; Assembly Bill 2, which would enable Tesla to sell its electric cars directly to consumers instead of through a network of franchised dealerships; Assembly Bill 3, which would take money from an insurance company tax credit to help pay for the Tesla deal; and an unnamed bill that would excuse Tesla from certain taxes for the first 10 years of the “gigafactory” operation.
Although Sandoval’s $100-billion figure left some analysts scratching their heads, Tesla did agree to certain direct investments, including $37.5 million in area schools.
But not everyone is happy about the deal. Bringing Tesla’s battery factory to Nevada may drive film production away, as the Sandoval package would slash a film tax credit that has brought some filming to the Silver State.
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