SACRAMENTO – Tesla, the electric vehicle (EV) brand long tied to California’s clean-energy story, has largely moved on from the state it once called home. The Fremont factory still builds vehicles, including the Model 3 and Model Y, but the center of gravity has changed.

Key corporate decisions, major engineering work, and future growth plans now sit mostly in places like Texas. Following the 2021 headquarters move and a string of more recent policy disputes, Tesla’s pullback highlights a growing problem for manufacturers in California: slow approvals, higher compliance costs, and heavy tax pressure can make EV manufacturing hard to justify financially.

Elon Musk has criticized California’s business climate for years. The tension became public during the COVID-19 era, when local rules shut down Fremont for a period, and Musk threatened to move operations elsewhere. In 2021, Tesla relocated its headquarters to Austin, pointing to expensive housing, limited room to scale, and slow-moving red tape.

Tesla still kept a large footprint in California, including Fremont, which employs thousands and produces a large volume of cars each year. Even so, the relationship has continued to fray as state rules and enforcement actions have expanded.

Regulatory delays and compliance pressure slow momentum

California’s push for zero-emission vehicles, powered by the ZEV mandate and strict environmental standards, has created a mixed outcome for Tesla. The company once gained from selling regulatory credits to other automakers, but the compliance load has grown heavier over time.

One major flashpoint has been scrutiny of Tesla’s driver-assist branding. California DMV investigations into Autopilot and Full Self-Driving marketing have accused Tesla of making misleading claims, with threats of sales suspensions that were later paused. Even with pauses, investigations, and legal fights add cost and pull focus away from engineering. At the same time, slower approvals for advanced autonomous features can delay rollouts and raise development expenses.

Other statewide rules add more paperwork. Supply-chain emissions reporting requirements scheduled to begin in 2026 bring additional tracking and reporting duties. Tesla leaders have argued these requirements raise costs without matching benefits. In contrast, states such as Texas often offer faster permitting, lighter oversight, and fewer layers to clear, which can speed up factory and battery expansion.

Higher operating and compliance costs squeeze margins

The cost side is hard to ignore. California’s unique emissions and fuel-related rules, along with state-specific reporting, can increase manufacturing overhead. For a company that builds cars in several locations around the world, California can end up carrying extra costs compared with other sites.

Labor costs also remain high. California’s cost of living raises wage pressure, and added labor tensions can weigh on margins. All of this lands at a time when price competition is getting tougher, including pressure from Chinese EV makers like BYD.

The loss of federal EV tax credits in late 2025 added another hit. Sales reportedly fell in Q4 after earlier demand spikes. California floated state rebates to soften the blow, but reports said Tesla might be left out because of its large share of EV sales in the state (more than 50%). Musk publicly called that approach “insane.” Whether the exclusion was political or practical, Tesla viewed it as another sign the state was willing to make rules that don’t apply evenly.

Tax policy becomes the final breaking point

Taxes have been a long-running complaint for Tesla leadership. California’s corporate taxes and high personal income taxes are a sharp contrast to Texas, which has no state income tax. For top earners and growing companies, the savings can be significant, and Musk has pointed to that gap many times.

California also faces ongoing debate around new taxes aimed at wealthy residents, including proposals discussed for 2026 involving wealth-focused levies. Taken together, Tesla has framed the state as a place where long-term investment feels less welcome.

With regulatory delays, higher compliance costs, and tax pressure all stacking up, Tesla has made clear choices. Texas is now the priority for new work, including battery growth and robotics efforts, while California takes a smaller role.

Fallout risk for jobs, suppliers, and the wider economy

Tesla’s retreat could ripple across California. The company has been a symbol of the state’s tech and clean-energy identity for years. Fremont alone has supported tens of thousands of jobs and helped feed a statewide supply chain. When investment slows, the risk is simple: fewer jobs, less tax revenue, and a weaker innovation network around the Bay Area.

Tesla’s move also fits a broader trend. Other big names, including Chevron, Oracle, SpaceX, and X (formerly Twitter), have shifted major operations out of California during 2025 to 2026, often pointing to the same set of problems: high taxes, strict rules, and rising costs. Reports have also described continued out-migration of both companies and residents, alongside a projected $50 to $70 billion state deficit. Manufacturing businesses, especially in EVs and energy, appear more exposed as firms hunt for lower-cost regions with faster approvals.

Tesla says it will keep a California presence, but the shift still marks a turning point. The state continues to set aggressive climate targets, while companies weigh the cost of meeting them. Tesla’s pullback is a clear warning that policy goals and business reality can collide when rules pile up faster than companies can adapt.

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A credit card can feel like a key, but for many people, it’s a key that doesn’t fit the lock. When credit is bad, fair, or simply thin, approvals get harder, and the cards that do approve often come with strings attached.

That’s where milestone card credit usually enters the picture. In plain terms, it means using the Milestone Mastercard as a starter or rebuild card to help transform credit over time through reported payments and responsible use. It can work, but it can also get expensive fast if the cardholder carries a balance or accepts an offer with heavy fees.

This guide explains what the Milestone card is for, how it can help build credit, what the real costs look like in January 2026, how to use it safely in the first 90 days, and what to compare before applying.

What Milestone card credit is, and who it is really for

The Milestone Mastercard is an unsecured Mastercard often marketed to people who are rebuilding credit or starting over after mistakes. “Unsecured” matters because there’s usually no upfront deposit required, which can make it appealing to someone who doesn’t have extra cash set aside.

The card’s main value is simple: it can report account activity to the three major credit bureaus. If payments are on time and balances stay low, that steady record can help a person transform credit in a measurable way over months.

Milestone is also known for approving some applicants with low scores, but approvals and terms vary by offer and by applicant profile. Many people shopping in this category are in the poor to fair credit range, and the card is designed to serve that group. It’s not a “rewards and perks” card first. It’s a “get back in the door” card.

Unsecured card basics, how it builds credit over time

A quick comparison keeps it clear:

• Unsecured card: no deposit, the issuer takes more risk, fees and APR can be high.
• Secured card: a deposit is required, approval is often easier, fees can be lower.

Either type can help build credit because what matters is what gets reported. Credit bureaus typically receive monthly updates showing whether the account paid on time and what balance was used relative to the limit.

A simple example: someone uses the card for a $30 phone bill, waits for the statement, then pays the full statement balance by the due date. Month after month, that’s a clean pattern. It won’t fix credit overnight, but it can start to transform credit the same way a daily walk can improve fitness: small actions, repeated.

Typical starting limits and why low limits can still help

Starting limits on credit-builder cards are often modest. With Milestone, many offers start around $300, and some versions may go higher. Some marketing and reviews also mention higher ceilings (including up to $1,000 on certain offers), but the most common starting experience is still on the low side.

Low limits can still help because credit building isn’t about spending big. It’s about staying stable.

A person with a $300 limit can still show strong habits by keeping the balance small. A common target is staying under 30% utilization (under $90 on a $300 limit), and many people see better results keeping it even lower, like under 10% when possible. High utilization can drag down scores, even if the bill gets paid on time.

Milestone card fees and APR, the real cost of building credit

Milestone card credit can work, but the cost structure is where people get tripped up. Before accepting an offer, the cardholder should check the exact pricing and terms on the offer page, since Milestone uses different fee tiers for different applicants.

Here’s what many applicants see in recent disclosures and major reviews as of January 2026: very high APR, plus annual and or monthly account fees depending on the offer. The most expensive mistake is carrying a balance, because interest grows quickly on top of any account fees.

Annual fee, possible monthly fees, and other common charges

Milestone offers vary, but these ranges are commonly seen:

One detail that surprises people: on some offers, the annual fee is charged at opening. If the limit is $300 and the annual fee is $75, the usable credit may start closer to $225. That makes utilization harder to control unless spending stays very small.

For a more detailed breakdown of how these fees are described across consumer reviews, see the Milestone Mastercard review on Credit Karma.

High APR and penalty APR, why paying in full matters

APR is the interest rate charged when a cardholder doesn’t pay the statement balance in full. If the cardholder pays the full statement balance by the due date, interest on purchases is usually avoided. If they carry a balance, interest begins piling on.

Recent disclosures and major reviews commonly show a purchase APR around 35.9% variable for Milestone offers. Some offers also list a penalty APR that can be the same as the regular APR after a late payment, which means there may not be a “higher” penalty rate, but the costs still spike because late fees hit and interest keeps accruing.

A basic way to think about it: fees are the cover charge, APR is the meter running in the background. The safest rule is simple: pay the statement balance in full and treat the card like a payment tool, not a borrowing tool.

How to use a Milestone card to transform credit without getting trapped in debt

Used carefully, Milestone card credit can build a clean payment history and help stabilize utilization. Used casually, it can become a high-cost habit.

The goal is not to “use it a lot.” The goal is to create boring, repeatable wins that show up on credit reports.

A simple first 90 days plan: one small bill, low balance, full payment

A practical approach is to put one predictable expense on the card and keep it small. Examples include a streaming subscription, a small gas budget, or one utility bill.

The cardholder can then pay the statement balance in full every month. That creates a steady on-time payment streak and avoids interest.

Quick math with a $300 limit:

• Monthly charge: $25 to $60
• Utilization range: about 8% to 20%
• Payment plan: wait for the statement to cut, then pay the full statement balance before the due date

That’s enough activity to report, but not enough spending to invite trouble. If the cardholder keeps this pattern for several months, it can help transform credit in a way that’s visible on most scoring models.

Set up autopay, alerts, and a due date routine to avoid late payments

One late payment can do real damage. It can lower scores, trigger fees, and make rebuilding take longer.

A basic system keeps it simple:

• Autopay at least the minimum so a missed due date is less likely.
• Phone alerts for statement posted and payment due.
• A personal routine like “pay within 48 hours of the statement” helps reduce stress.

For someone with irregular income, paying early can be safer than waiting. Paying early also reduces the chance that a bank delay or a busy week causes a late payment.

Keep utilization low the easy way (even with a $300 limit)

Utilization is one of the fastest ways to accidentally hurt progress. With a low limit, normal life can push the balance up quickly.

A simple method is a mid-month payment. If the cardholder spends $80 on a $300 limit, that’s about 27% utilization. If they pay $50 before the statement closes, the statement may show closer to $30, which is 10%.

This matters because a person can pay on time every month and still see slow results if the balance keeps reporting high. Keeping reported balances low helps the card do what it’s supposed to do: transform credit without adding debt pressure.

Better options to compare before applying, and when to move on from Milestone

Milestone can be a bridge, but many people shouldn’t live on that bridge for years. The decision usually comes down to one question: is the cardholder paying extra fees because they truly need an unsecured approval, or because they haven’t compared other credit-building paths?

Common alternatives include secured cards with no annual fee, credit-builder loans, or becoming an authorized user on a trusted person’s account. All can build credit, and some do it with less cost.

Milestone vs a no annual fee secured card, what usually wins

Milestone’s main advantage is that it often doesn’t require a deposit. That matters for someone who can’t spare $200 to $500 upfront.

A secured card often wins on cost, though, because many secured cards charge no annual fee and still report to the bureaus. The credit-building mechanics are similar: small purchases, on-time payments, low balances.

A simple decision guide:

• If a deposit isn’t possible and the cardholder can pay in full every month, Milestone may be a short-term option.
• If a deposit is possible, a no-annual-fee secured card is often cheaper and easier to keep long-term.

Signs it is time to upgrade to a cheaper card

A rebuild card should come with an exit plan. Clear signs it’s time to move on include:

• The credit score is rising and the cardholder starts getting pre-qualified for lower-cost cards.
• The cardholder needs a higher limit, but the Milestone offer isn’t improving.
• Annual or monthly fees feel like a constant drain.
• The cardholder wants a card they can keep long-term without paying just to hold it.

Pre-qualification tools can help people compare options with less impact than a full application, depending on the issuer. For a broad, consumer-friendly view of Milestone’s costs and how it compares to other accessible cards, see NerdWallet’s Milestone Credit Card review.

If an upgrade is approved, keeping the old account open can sometimes help credit age, but only if the old card doesn’t have a punishing monthly fee and the cardholder can manage it responsibly.

Conclusion

Milestone card credit can help transform credit when it’s used for small purchases, low utilization, and full on-time payments. The tradeoff is cost, since many offers come with annual and or monthly fees, plus a very high APR that makes carrying a balance expensive.

A smart next step is straightforward: read the exact offer terms, compare at least one secured alternative, set autopay, keep reported balances low, and choose an upgrade point. Used as a short-term tool instead of a long-term habit, the card has a better chance of doing what most applicants want, helping them rebuild and move forward.

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SAN FRANCISCO – Oracle Corporation, the database and cloud computing giant valued at more than $550 billion, has shifted its corporate headquarters from California to Texas. The news did not come with a press conference or a bold announcement. It appeared in a single line inside a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing released on a Friday evening, a timing that tends to limit attention.

Oracle began in 1977 in Santa Clara under the name Software Development Laboratories. For more than 40 years, it has built its identity in the Golden State. Its well-known cylindrical campus in Redwood Shores, Redwood City, became part of Silicon Valley’s visual story.

Co-founded by billionaire Larry Ellison, the company grew into a major employer across California and a steady source of tax revenue and local spending. After 43 years, Oracle is moving its headquarters, pointing to employee flexibility in a post-pandemic workplace.

Oracle kept its statement short, saying it is “implementing a more flexible employee work location policy and has changed its Corporate Headquarters from Redwood City, California to Austin, Texas.” There was no long explanation, no executive statement, and no analyst call tied to the move.

The wording fits with the remote-work shift across tech. Oracle said it will keep supporting key office hubs, including sites in California, while giving employees more choice in where they work.

Some critics read the quiet release as intentional. By placing the update in routine regulatory paperwork right before the weekend, Oracle reduced the immediate media surge that often follows big corporate moves. Texas Governor Greg Abbott praised the decision on social media, calling Texas “the land of business, jobs, and opportunity.” California leaders have been far less vocal.

Newsom Stays Silent

As of press time, Governor Gavin Newsom’s office has not issued a public statement about Oracle’s headquarters change. People familiar with the administration describe frustration, along with a focus on California’s broader economy. One aide, speaking privately, framed these moves as part of a national pattern, not a direct verdict on state policy.

That quiet approach differs from Newsom’s recent public defense of California’s economy. He has pointed to strong tourism spending and the state’s large share of Fortune 500 companies.

Newsom has also argued that California still draws more investment than it loses. Still, Oracle’s departure, after moves by Hewlett Packard Enterprise and well-known relocations tied to Elon Musk, gives fresh energy to critics.

They often point to high taxes, heavy regulation, and a steep cost of living. California’s top personal income tax rate of 13.3% is a frequent talking point. Oracle, however, linked its decision to workplace flexibility.

Part of a Broader Shift

Oracle joins a growing list of tech companies that are rethinking long-term ties to California. Hewlett-Packard Enterprise moved its headquarters to Houston earlier this month. Elon Musk relocated to Texas and has taken public shots at California policies.

Smaller companies have made similar choices, drawn by Texas’s lack of a state income tax and its business-friendly reputation.

Austin also isn’t new ground for Oracle. The company opened a campus there in 2018, and the city has continued to attract tech talent and investment.

Even with the headquarters change, Oracle still has a major presence in California. Thousands of workers are likely to stay, whether in offices or working remotely. Real estate watchers expect the Redwood Shores site to remain active, though parts of it could be subleased or repurposed over time.

What It Means for California’s Economy

Losing a headquarters label often carries more symbolism than immediate job losses. Many corporate moves shift mailing addresses and executive offices more than day-to-day staffing. California also remains a global tech center, home to Apple, Google, and Meta. It leads the nation in venture capital and ranks high in patent activity.

Even so, the move hits during ongoing debates about housing costs, homelessness, and energy prices. Groups such as the Bay Area Council have pushed for reforms, warning that the state’s reputation with business could weaken over time. Others argue that California’s diverse economy, talent base, and quality of life still make it hard to replace.

Oracle’s decision reflects a workplace reality where a physical headquarters matters less than it once did. For Texas, it’s a clear win and another boost for Austin’s push to stand alongside older tech centers. For California, it’s another reminder that companies now have more options, and many are willing to act on them.

As one longtime Silicon Valley voice put it, companies may relocate, but innovation sticks around when people support it. Whether Governor Newsom addresses Oracle’s move directly remains unclear, but the brief SEC filing made the shift official.

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