Tim Draper: Tesla’s move to Nevada is why we should break California into six states

It’s been a while since we heard from noted investor Tim Draper, who first told me he wanted to break California into six separate states last December. His advocacy organization, aptly named “Six Californias,” has since been pointing out reasons why California should be broken up.

This week, Tesla announced that it is snubbing its home state of California as the location for its new battery factory and choosing Nevada instead, thanks to the desert state’s generous incentives. It’s a big loss in terms of both and jobs and reputation for tech-foward California.

Draper took the opportunity to note that the loss was proof that California is unwieldy in its current form, “How much longer do we tolerate a monolithic, job losing California? We continue to live in the state ranked worst in the nation for business. Six Californias gives us a chance, a choice, and a change — and more jobs,” Draper said in a press release yesterday.

Draper is convinced that California needs more local control. Under his plan, “Silicon Valley” would become its own state.

However, my analysis of Draper’s ballot proposition earlier this year founds the plan would cause even more inequality between California’s regions, with much of the wealth concentrated in the tech and entertainment hubs of Silicon Valley and Los Angeles.

Draper appears to be arguing that Tesla staying in California would benefit the entire region (or most of the “states,” should California be broken up).

“Six Californias gives us an opportunity to create a better future for all 38 million of us. Six states that are more representative and accountable. Six states that embrace innovation and strive to improve the lives of residents. With Six Californias we can refresh our government. California is a beautiful place to live. Let’s make it a great place to thrive,” concluded the press release.

Readers may be wondering about the conspicuous absence of snark in this post. A lot of folks have criticised Draper, but I love this state for all its crazy, utopian ideas. I say let them fly snark-free, and let Draper prove himself at the ballot box.

Learn more about Six California’s here.