

This State Is For Sale
10 snips Mar 28, 2025
Katya Schwenk and Luke Goldstein, reporters at The Lever, dive into Delaware's longstanding status as a corporate haven. They discuss the fierce competition it's facing from other states like Nevada and Texas, all while examining a controversial bill that could shield corporate executives from accountability. The conversation highlights the growing influence of oligarchs on legislation and the implications for democracy. Plus, they tackle how Elon Musk's actions could exacerbate the situation, making clear that Delaware's fate might affect everyone.
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Musk's Pay Package Blocked
- A Delaware judge blocked Elon Musk's $56 billion Tesla pay package.
- Musk appealed and criticized the state, inspiring other companies to consider leaving.
Delaware's Corporate Haven Status
- Delaware is the legal headquarters for many major corporations, offering a corporate-friendly environment.
- However, states like Nevada and Texas are now competing, leading to a bidding war.
U-Haul's Influence on Nevada Law
- In 2017, U-Haul's lawyer argued for Nevada to create its own corporate-friendly laws.
- This followed U-Haul's experience with shareholder lawsuits, leading to a bill making it harder to hold executives accountable.