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Detroit Free Press Scrutinizing Michigan Anti-Tesla Bill Signing

We’ve all heard the news: anti-Tesla Bill 5606 was recently signed into law in the state of Michigan by Governor Rick Snyder, banning Tesla Motors from direct sales of its electric cars within the state.

The Detroit Free Press is among those publications perplexed by the move, as a recently published article shows. Their take: it seems decidedly uncharacteristic for a historically pro-business Republican Governor such as Snyder to support such a measure.

As the Detroit Free Press notes, Governor Snyder will be up for re-election this November 4th, and the timing of the passage of this anti-Tesla Bill – as well as the support from General Motors and others – raise the question of whether Bill 5606 was signed to help the Governor secure campaign funds from some of the interested parties.

They also note that Michigan dealers have been “a reliable supporter over time,” according to Rich Robinson of the Michigan Campaign Finance Network. But while Governor Snyder’s support of the anti-Tesla Bill could be seen as an attempt to appease these parties, and protect the state’s major domestic industry, he has also since called for a dialogue to examine “business and regulatory” practices, which now seems like a bit of a moot conversation.

Tesla also has no galleries or manufacturer stores currently in the state of Michigan. “I don’t understand why it had to be done at this time,” said Bill Ballenger of Inside Michigan Politics. “It could make you suspicious that time was of the essence if they’re going to make campaign cash before Nov. 4.”

Aaron Birch is an automotive enthusiast and writer/filmmaker from Detroit, MI. As a rule, he only buys cars older than himself.

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