Texas legislative issues/Operation Silent Thunder

[SteveH]

I don't see the part in chapter 503 that actually prevents a manufacturer from being a dealer. Sorry I'm missing it, but can you be more specific?

Found it! It's in the Occupations code: 2301.476: http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/OC/htm/OC.2301.htm.

That wasn't easy. Glad I'm not a lawyer.

(No offense intended to those who are and have the patience to read this @#$%#$^ on a regular basis.)

 

[sublimaze1]

Lemme resurrect a topic, beat a dead horse, whatever you call it:

some of you have been following the Dallas Service Center thread and read a post (mine) that said that Texas Ranger service is being eliminated.

This is true. Why it is true is a set of laws on the book, similar (or same) to that which prevents us from having a sales office in Texas and/or a Delivery Specialist.

So, round two has kicked in (for me) and I have sent coorespondences to my State Senator and Representative. It was rather verbose, but to the point.

In fact, why don't I just post it here:

Senator and Representative,

I am contacting you to ask why Texas is giving me such a hard time in buying an American Made Vehicle.

TESLA is a company based in California that creates US made vehicles. These vehicles are sold by Tesla Motors - Tesla Motors | Premium Electric Vehicles

However, Texas has some laws to protect franchise dealerships. While these are excellent to preserve their existence and prevent them from and hostile corporate takeover, the laws that allow foreign cars (Honda, BMW, etc.) to be sold in Texas, prevent me from purchasing my choice of US made automobile. In fact, it is against the law. Please allow me to further explain:

I am not a share holder in Tesla, I have no investments in the company. I do own a Tesla, but I had to go through some difficult channels to buy American. I had to purchase the car in California, have my bank issue a check directly to a company, question me about buying a car over the internet, and then arrange for shipment, and take delivery completely naked.

By completely naked, I mean that the car was dropped in my driveway and a trucker gave me keys and walked away. Even at a Chevy dealer, the salesperson will spend time with you explaining the car. However (and again), Texas law prevented TESLA from sending a representative to help me in understanding my American made vehicle. In fact, several employed people in Texas (TESLA delivery specialists) lost their jobs as a result of this law. And a few more service specialists are being recalled as (apparently) their job as mobile service technicians somehow break another regulation in Texas.

I am sure we will find more laws that are detrimental to this American company growing. I am against this. I plead with you to make an effort to get some reasoning explained (to both me and you) as to why I could not buy my car like my neighbor bought his - simply because I chose a different sales model based company.

Hence briefly (and to the point): Why is an American Automobile company not allowed to sell their product in the state of Texas?

A favor of a response is requested.

Regards
WJ


Now, I don't know if the DS in my area lost their jobs or were relocated, but it is the point that I was trying to convey, in that this is causing difficulty in me supporting my chosen corporate entity.

I suggest that we all think of contacting our sens and reps and giving them a little to chew on.

 

[dsm363]

Thank you. I actually called my state senator's office today as well. Everyone in Texas needs to call and complain about this and write letters or e-mails.

sublimaze1: I guess I'm asking after the fact but I liked your letter so much I sent an e-mail to my state senator's transportation person with the text of your message saying 'this is what another customer has written' to add to my letter. Hope that's ok.

Dave

- - - Updated - - -

Will will call our Capitol Hill day

Operation Silent Thunder

 

[sublimaze1]

Silent Thunder!

I like.

You certainly may have retroactive approval to use my notes - just please do not quote it out of context.

Keep focusing on the American Made part. That seems to have some uumph!

 

[dsm363]

Silent Thunder!

I like.

You certainly may have retroactive approval to use my notes - just please do not quote it out of context.

Keep focusing on the American Made part. That seems to have some uumph!

I included the entire message minus 'Regards, WJ' and used it as an example of another Texas customer and their experience. Plus it was well written. Thanks.

 

[NCIC]

When I received my final paperwork, I had to sign a new MVPA that took away the taxes that were charged on the original MVPA. So...I will have to get insurance coverage, then a green sheet from the inspection station followed by a trip to the DMV to pay my taxes and get plates? (I'm wanting to sort out the order of events that need to take place).

My bank did all the leg-work for me. And yes, you do have to pay the TTL out of pocket.

 

[mark]

Sublimaze-

I emailed my state senator and representative today with a similar message.
Will see if they respond.

 

[sublimaze1]

Sublimaze-

I emailed my state senator and representative today with a similar message.
Will see if they respond.

Last time it took a week for the senator and two days for the rep. Be prepared for a 20 something year old intern with limited world knowledge. You will be doing a great deal of explaining.

 

[lolachampcar]

Texans are amazing.

 

[Babylonfive]

Texans are amazing.

Uh, in what way do you mean that? Ironically?

 

[kgb]

Why is texas anti-American and anti-capitalism?

 

[brianman]

Why is texas anti-American and anti-capitalism?
View attachment 14682

re: American ... I think you're missing the time aspect. America isn't what it used to be. (And no, I'm not talking about slavery type stuff. I'm talking about small government, etc.)

re: Capitalism ... Similar story. In many ways, America has been moving away from capitalism.


Also, you capitalize U.S. states (Texas, California, etc.).

 

[lolachampcar]

Everyone on my father's side come from Texas (New Boston area for over 200 years) so I'm 1/2 Texan. I love Texans but they can be oldly hard headed. By odly, I mean some of the most harda** positions make little to no sense. On the other hand, a lot of what is done it good old common sense. In short, it was a positive comment.

- - - Updated - - -

Texans (most) believe in self sufficiency. They also believe in taking care of their neighbor; literally, their neighbor.

I am a capitalist, feel capitalism is a good thing but unregulated capitalism is a bad thing. We are all human and thus subject to greed. Some are self regulating while others are not. Regulation helps with the latter.

Before anyone goes off on me, I want to make it perfectly clear. I am an operations guy so my only concern with far right or far left is how the extremes of the bell curve are managed.

 

[dsm363]

This is interesting discussion but was trying to have this thread deal with legislative issues in Texas and how we can work to change the dealership laws here.

 

[brianman]

Sorry dsm. The KGB infiltrated, getting us off-track. It's a communist plot I think.

 

[sublimaze1]

Operation Silent Thunder (Tesla in Texas)

All,

As many know (and all of us in Texas), Our state has some picky issues with Tesla, the company. I am sure people will post their opinions and experiences.

What I propose, is we use this thread to grass-roots it and get some issues on the books in Austin. Make this thing go away, if we can. Several of us have emailed, called, faxed, and contacted out legislators. I think it is time to do more. This is my first motivated attempt to move forward and fight the man.

Any takers?

I am willing to drive to Austin - in BadA**, of course, and pitch my case. But I don't know where to start, who to call, what to look up, etc.

The floor is y'alls. I am energized.

Regards
Will Jones
McKinney, Texas

 

[blakegallagher]

I have an aunt who has worked in Austin for awhile ... not sure if she is there but I will get in touch. I would make some phone calls and maybe knock on a door or two in Austin ... I live pretty close

 

[7racer]

count me in

 

[dsm363]

I've been working on this for a few months now and even came up with the name
Texas legislative issues - Page 5

My plan was to get as many people together as possible and invite representatives for a ride. It would have to be on a weekday as I doubt they are in session on the weekend.

 

[dsm363]

We will merge the threads but think organizing a Capitol Hill day called Operation Silent Thunder mentioned up thread would be great. I've been in contact with a few representative's offices over the past few months and with people at Tesla too.

My plan was to organize a day where we get as many cars together in Austin. We would meet in the morning, discuss talking point and strategy and give people any handouts we came up with to hand to people at the various offices during our visits. During our visits, we would talk about Tesla and why the laws prohibiting Tesla from operating as a normal business in Texas are frankly un-American. We would then take the representative or any member of their staff out for a quick ride or maybe a short Road rally to the Oasis or something.