Draft resolution to ban local and state government purchases of Tesla vehicles, products, and services. To be introduced by elected city council members, county supervisors, and state legislators.
Summary: “The City / County / State of [NAME] and all departments, agencies, and entities under its jurisdiction shall be prohibited from purchasing goods or services from Tesla, Inc.”
TEXT: Draft City Council / County Board Of Supervisors / State Assembly / State Senate Resolution No. [xxx]
A resolution of the City / County / State of [NAME], prohibiting the purchase of vehicles or other goods and services from Tesla, due to the need to support responsible suppliers, high-quality products, and the development of a strong and competitive electric vehicle industry in America.
WHEREAS, the City / County / State of [Name] is committed to ethical procurement practices that align with the values and interests of its residents and taxpayers; and
WHEREAS, under Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Tesla, Inc., has engaged in business practices that raise concerns about corporate accountability, worker treatment, and monopolistic behavior, and the undermining of public trust in democratic institutions; and
WHEREAS, Tesla’s collapsing sales, revenues, and stock value raise serious concerns as to whether the company will cease to exist in the years ahead, leaving purchasers of its vehicles and other products and services unable to receive support, and
WHEREAS, inspiring competition in the Electric Vehicle (EV) industry is vital for fostering innovation, preventing monopolistic control, and ensuring that taxpayer money is spent on high-quality, fairly priced products and services; and
WHEREAS, independent analyses and consumer reports have highlighted Tesla’s reliability and safety concerns, including subpar manufacturing standards, software failures, and unresponsive customer service, all of which pose a risk to municipal fleet operations and long-term taxpayer investment; and
WHEREAS, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has used the declining wealth and power that he has derived from his ownership of Tesla in ways that are profoundly inconsistent with the City / County / State of [NAME]’s commitment to responsible governance and civic engagement, and which undermine the values of inclusivity, transparency, and responsible leadership that the City / County / State upholds; and
WHEREAS, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has used his wealth and power to undermine U.S. democratic institutions and devastate the ability of the Federal government to advance the prosperity, safety, and health of millions of Americans, and
WHEREAS, Tesla has been the subject of numerous legal actions and public scrutiny regarding its labor practices, including allegations of racial discrimination, union-busting, unsafe working conditions, and retaliatory firings, which contradict the City / County / State’s commitment to supporting fair labor and workers’ rights; and
WHEREAS, Tesla, despite its early leadership in the electric vehicle (EV) market, is no longer the sole or even the most reliable provider of EVs, and it is in the public interest to diversify procurement choices rather than rely on a single company with a problematic track record; and
WHEREAS, Musk has faced accusations of fostering a toxic workplace culture at Tesla and other companies, including allegations of racial discrimination, sexual harassment, and retaliation against whistleblowers, all of which contradict the City’s standards for ethical business practices and workplace fairness; and
WHEREAS, Tesla has been subject to multiple lawsuits and government investigations regarding workplace safety violations, union-busting, and discriminatory practices, reflecting a failure of leadership in upholding corporate accountability and employee protections; and
WHEREAS, Musk has expressed contempt for regulatory oversight and has publicly defied government agencies such as the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), raising concerns about his companies’ willingness to comply with public safety and labor laws; and
WHEREAS, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has used his ownership and control over Twitter (now X) to erode public trust in credible news and democratic discourse by advancing conspiracy theories, spreading false or misleading information, targeting journalists and critics, and reinstating previously banned accounts of white supremacists, neo-Nazis, and far-right extremists, enabling them to spread hate speech, antisemitism, and racist propaganda on a global scale; and
WHEREAS, Musk has aligned himself with authoritarian-leaning figures and far-right ideologies, using his influence to normalize extremist rhetoric that threatens social cohesion and democratic stability, which is inconsistent with the City’s values of inclusivity, diversity, and respect for human rights;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City / County / State of [NAME] as follows:
- Prohibition on Procurement
a. The City / County / State of [NAME] and all departments, agencies, and entities under its jurisdiction shall be prohibited from purchasing goods or services from Tesla, Inc.
b. No new contracts shall be entered into with Tesla, Inc, and any existing contracts shall not be renewed upon expiration.
c. (OPTIONAL / MORE EXPANSIVE) The City / County / State of [NAME] and all departments, agencies, and entities under its jurisdiction shall also be prohibited from purchasing goods or services from businesses and other provider of goods or services that uses Tesla products or services in their operations. - Encouragement of Competition and Responsible Suppliers
a. The City / County / State shall prioritize working with companies that adhere to fair labor practices, maintain high standards for product quality and safety, and engage in responsible business practices.
b. Procurement policies shall encourage open bidding and fair competition among multiple vendors to ensure the best value for the City / County / State and its residents. - Exemption
a. Emergency procurement needs, as defined under City / County / State procurement regulations, may be exempted from this restriction with proper justification. - Implementation and Enforcement
a. The City / County / State [Executive / Manager / Etc] shall direct the appropriate departments to update procurement policies and procedures to reflect this resolution.
b. Any City / County / State employee or contractor found in violation of this resolution shall be subject to appropriate administrative action. - Effective Date
a. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City / County / State of [NAME] this [Day] of [Month], [Year].
SIGNED:
ATTEST: [City / County / State Legislative Clerk’s Name]