Musk critics want New York State to get tough with Tesla

By Evan Dawson,

Megan Mack, Julie Williams

Published April 2, 2025 at 3:33 PM EDT

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Jimmy Vielkind

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Assemblymember Pat Burke

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3 of 4 — Brian Schneck

Brian Schneck

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Keith Goldstein

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Before Elon Musk become a political lightning rod in the Trump White House, he was a political lightning rod in New York State politics — thanks to the state's massive investment in Musk's companies, particularly in the Buffalo area.

Now, years later, Tesla has fallen short of its promise to hire 3,200 workers and provide high-paying jobs to many of them. New York State is looking at options, and, as journalist Jimmy Vielkind reports, Governor Hochul's administration is considering reducing the jobs requirement, while extending the deal with Tesla.

Our guests discuss it:

Jimmy Vielkind, reporter for Gothamist and WNYC
Assemblyman Patrick Burke, New York State District 142
Brian Schneck, vice chair of the United Auto Workers New York State Community Action Program (CAP)
Keith Goldstein, Tesla owner