In response to Rick Perry's visit, California Republican lawmaker heads to Austin to lure jobs

A California state lawmaker is heading to Texas to poach jobs.

Sen. Ted Gaines plans to visit the state Capitol in Austin on Monday and meet with businesses to promote California's business climate.

The Republican from Roseville is taking a page out of Gov. Rick Perry's playbook. The Texas governor recently visited Sacramento and test drove a Tesla electric car.

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

Gaines and Senate leader Darrell Steinberg, a Democrat from Sacramento, have introduced a bill to expedite construction of the Tesla plant if the company chooses to expand in its home state.

Gaines is running for state insurance commissioner.