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stephenpace
VIN S00219
sublimaze1
8Dec2012 / Leeroy Jenkins
So do we just find a day where the transportation committee meets and lobby them - or do we submit a request to modify legislature - or what? Somebody has to know. I'm just not one of those some bodies.
Ideally we should provide specific updates to the laws we want to change and then ask legislators to pass those changes. Unfortunately I'm no lawyer and probably not the right person to review existing law and draft changes. Do we have an attorney in the group?
I think we ask for an exemption not for Tesla but for any American car company that doesn't have a single franchised dealership anywhere in the state. Only these companies would be allowed to sell directly to the customer. We will never get the dealership law overturned but can make a valid argument that Tesla isn't hurting anyone with their sales model.
I sure find out more information soon and will post then but if anyone does have experience in this area that would be great.
We should definitely prioritize meeting with members on the transportation committee. Great idea.
I sure find out more information soon and will post then but if anyone does have experience in this area that would be great.
We should definitely prioritize meeting with members on the transportation committee. Great idea.
sublimaze1
8Dec2012 / Leeroy Jenkins
In the same breath, and this applies to other states (Georgia, etc.) that have laws that prevent, specifically, Delivery Specialists from helping - let's help each other by "paying it forward".
William Petefish and Ray Mach (not on this forum) took time out of their schedule to meet with me, go over the car, and even let me take some pictures. This was out of their own personal time. Ray even dealt with my 3 year old stepdaughter, who is named touchy-tornado for a reason, when I looked at his car. Having someone do this was valuable .. even priceless.
So if someone on this forum, or whom you have otherwise vetted as a reservation holder contacts you for help pre-delivery (or even post), please consider helping and then they will pay it forward to someone else. We are in this together, and although it won't be TESLA itself teaching the car, we can try our best to patch this hole.
WJ
William Petefish and Ray Mach (not on this forum) took time out of their schedule to meet with me, go over the car, and even let me take some pictures. This was out of their own personal time. Ray even dealt with my 3 year old stepdaughter, who is named touchy-tornado for a reason, when I looked at his car. Having someone do this was valuable .. even priceless.
So if someone on this forum, or whom you have otherwise vetted as a reservation holder contacts you for help pre-delivery (or even post), please consider helping and then they will pay it forward to someone else. We are in this together, and although it won't be TESLA itself teaching the car, we can try our best to patch this hole.
WJ
I've been e-mailing someone at the office of my state senator who has been very helpful and is gathering information to look into this. I asked him which day would be best and said we were thinking about Friday.
He said that most legislators leave Thursday night or Friday morning to go back to their districts so if we wanted to meet with them, Monday through Thursday would be better. He did say that Friday is less busy for them so it would be easier for staff to take 20-30 minutes to see the cars and talk Tesla though. I'm thinking meeting with the staff may actually be more effective than the actual representatives as a legislator's staff are very important to them and they usually listen to them. They are also likely younger and more likely to be impressed with Tesla.
Maybe this first round can be a big photo op with lots of staff members then people can schedule individual meetings with their own state representative or senator in their home district later on.
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I got another e-mail for the staff member. He said we'd probably only be able to meet with 10-15% of representatives on a normal day but staff time on a Friday would be higher.
He said that most legislators leave Thursday night or Friday morning to go back to their districts so if we wanted to meet with them, Monday through Thursday would be better. He did say that Friday is less busy for them so it would be easier for staff to take 20-30 minutes to see the cars and talk Tesla though. I'm thinking meeting with the staff may actually be more effective than the actual representatives as a legislator's staff are very important to them and they usually listen to them. They are also likely younger and more likely to be impressed with Tesla.
Maybe this first round can be a big photo op with lots of staff members then people can schedule individual meetings with their own state representative or senator in their home district later on.
- - - Updated - - -
I got another e-mail for the staff member. He said we'd probably only be able to meet with 10-15% of representatives on a normal day but staff time on a Friday would be higher.
sublimaze1
8Dec2012 / Leeroy Jenkins
Babylonfive
Power12
I'm late to the thread and not quite in possession of my baby, but I'm in. Let me know anything I can do.
david
david
Thanks. At this point simply call your state senator and state representative's office and ask to speak to the person who deals with transportation issues. Ask them if they have ever heard of Tesla Motors then detail the issues you've had with the dealership law and how you can't legally buy this American made car here in Texas without jumping through many hoops. We'll go for a Friday at some point but can always ask when the legislator will be back home and offer to meet at their local office and give them a ride. Thanks!
sublimaze1
8Dec2012 / Leeroy Jenkins
Called Karla (At Congressman Estes) and Chris (At Congressman Sanford) offices. Did a few minutes of explanation, then decided that the document is better delivered to them directly with a voice associated with it. Faxed and emailed it to them both. Watchful waiting begins.
I will suggest that they point me to the congressman who chairs that committee and his or her aide. I will contact them directly as well. Once I get that done, I will ask to meet with aides on a Friday (remember, they are all twenty something and cool cars with batteries and internet and all that will go a long way). Once I organize that, I will let you all know what date. I will try to make it later spring, so that it is a nice day, not too cold, and not too much a chance of snow/freezing rain.
As time and dates get closer, we may need to arrange for some charging for those who are coming from further away - but I would rather handle that within ourselves. That way, it is not introduced (in any way) to any legislative aide that there is a restriction on these cars (e.g. we need your help to juice us up). Once we have the aide meeting and make a decisive blow (as I know we will), a few of us who can get some time off, can meet with the chair or chairs of that committee on a M-W and throw down the pitch.
We should also be armed with what laws (exactly) we are asking modified and we can get that information from the aides on the Friday before. Unless someone else wants the job, I can handle the phone calls and organizing at least for an initial contact, and then if someone in the Austin area wants to do more tactile follow-up in their free time, I am more than happy to info-swap and help plan.
Thoughts? Advice? Complaints? Critique.
I'm all ears ...
I will suggest that they point me to the congressman who chairs that committee and his or her aide. I will contact them directly as well. Once I get that done, I will ask to meet with aides on a Friday (remember, they are all twenty something and cool cars with batteries and internet and all that will go a long way). Once I organize that, I will let you all know what date. I will try to make it later spring, so that it is a nice day, not too cold, and not too much a chance of snow/freezing rain.
As time and dates get closer, we may need to arrange for some charging for those who are coming from further away - but I would rather handle that within ourselves. That way, it is not introduced (in any way) to any legislative aide that there is a restriction on these cars (e.g. we need your help to juice us up). Once we have the aide meeting and make a decisive blow (as I know we will), a few of us who can get some time off, can meet with the chair or chairs of that committee on a M-W and throw down the pitch.
We should also be armed with what laws (exactly) we are asking modified and we can get that information from the aides on the Friday before. Unless someone else wants the job, I can handle the phone calls and organizing at least for an initial contact, and then if someone in the Austin area wants to do more tactile follow-up in their free time, I am more than happy to info-swap and help plan.
Thoughts? Advice? Complaints? Critique.
I'm all ears ...
I've been working on this with Tesla and planning this for a few months as well. PM me and we can coordinate efforts.
Sublimaze1: looks like system won't let me send you a PM anymore. Did you turn receiving PMs off? Can also PM me your email address if you want. Thanks.
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We are working on a date and will let everyone know and see how many people can make it.
Sublimaze1: looks like system won't let me send you a PM anymore. Did you turn receiving PMs off? Can also PM me your email address if you want. Thanks.
_____
We are working on a date and will let everyone know and see how many people can make it.
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Legislators are considering creating new fees on electric vehicles. I think this actually creates an opportunity for us. I don't mind paying my share to maintain roads. But if they're going to pass electric vehicle legislation anyway then maybe we can get some text added in there that exempts electric vehicles from dealer and service center restrictions in place for other cars. That way the leg gets what they want in that everyone pays their fair share for roads and we get a state that can support Tesla's delivery and service model. Thoughts?
Great idea. Would also be great time to introduce concept of paying for road tax based on vehicle weight. If they are truly concerned about vehicles paying their 'fair share' of road taxes then a Dodge Ram 3500 causes more damage than a Jetta. Probably best to focus on one issue though and maybe suggest that the EV tax be milage based. Makes no sense to pay a flat $100 fee like in Washington state if you don't drive much.
I received this reply to my email to Senator Carona (my local state senator) today:
Dr. Peterman, Senator Carona asked me to thank you for your inquiry and to look into the issues you raise regarding Texas regulation of motor vehicle dealers. Congratulations on your purchase; I was by the Austin location the other night and took the attached picture.
Steven Polunsky, Director
Senate Committee on Business and Commerce
Senator John Carona, Chair
He included a photo of the Austin sevice center. Sounds like a great contact who clearly is taking interest in the issue.
Someone in Austin should email him and offer to take him for a ride: [email protected]
Dr. Peterman, Senator Carona asked me to thank you for your inquiry and to look into the issues you raise regarding Texas regulation of motor vehicle dealers. Congratulations on your purchase; I was by the Austin location the other night and took the attached picture.
Steven Polunsky, Director
Senate Committee on Business and Commerce
Senator John Carona, Chair
He included a photo of the Austin sevice center. Sounds like a great contact who clearly is taking interest in the issue.
Someone in Austin should email him and offer to take him for a ride: [email protected]
OK, more rules nobody really needs. Once upon a time everyone on earth except for 2 guys in Italy though the world was flat (there used to be a third guy but that did not work out so good). I have my Model S and LOVE IT! (sorry to my other cars Tia 911 Carrera and Betsy S550 Benz.. there is a new hottie in the garage..).. But I will get with our politicats and help. On it.
