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California Helped Create Tesla, Governor Says After Losing HQ to Texas

  • Newsom says state’s innovation economy strong despite move
  • State incentivized EV industry and remains its biggest market

Tesla’s Palo Alto headquarters.

Photographer: Andrej Sokolow/dpa via Getty Images 

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California Governor Gavin Newsom struck a defiant tone Friday after losing the headquarters of one of the state’s marquee companies, Tesla Inc., to Texas, saying his state’s policies helped create the electric-car maker.

Newsom, speaking at a bill-signing ceremony in Oakland, thanked Tesla Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk for his investments in California, where the company was born and opened its first factory.