Texas Gov. Rick Perry Brings Fight For Tesla Battery Factory To California

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - A bid by Texas to lure a Tesla battery factory has brought that state's salesman-in-chief to the doorstep of California's state Capitol - and to underscore the point, he arrived in one of the automaker's sleek, all-electric vehicles.

Before his scheduled meeting Tuesday with Republican state lawmakers, Gov. Rick Perry cruised up to the Hyatt hotel across from the Capitol behind the wheel of a metallic gray Tesla Model S.

California and Texas are among a handful of states fighting for the planned battery plant, which will represent a $5 billion investment from the California-based car company and its partners.

Perry says competition between states is a good thing, but he also took a swing at California. He says businesses end up leaving when they "get overtaxed, overregulated, over-litigated."

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press.