Ryan Ray
A proposed ordinance to regulate Uber and other ridesharing services that brought out more more than double the usual turnout — and triple the suits, quadruple the cab drivers — was postponed Wednesday night after a long and diametrical debate in the Tallahassee City Commission.
The proposal, Ordinance No. 15-O-10AA, is considered by many to be a coup for the taxi cab companies over Uber and their ilk. Mayor Andrew Gillum, a supporter of the measure, is known to be a champion of home rule, which many say Uber threatens with its unorthodox business model, wherein part-time contractors deliver service via a smartphone-based app.
Following rumors of an easy passage for the bill — whip counts of 4-1 were floated in the days ahead of the meeting — the debate quickly settled into a balanced back-and-forth, with advocates of Uber pushing for a postponement and taxi cab affiliates urging decisive action tonight.
Commissioner Scott Maddox suggested that the commission take a cooling-off period and see where the Legislature lands on the issue. Sen. Jeff Brandes and Rep. Matt Gaetz gave a press conference this morning on the ridesharing legislation both are steering through the process this Session.
A motion was brought to take up the ordinance on May 27, which passed by a 5-0 vote.
Matthew Gore, general manager for Uber, told SaintPetersBlog that he favored the move.
“We’re really excited that the Commission took this opportunity to take a step back and more fully realize the complexities of this totally new situation which requires a totally new approach,” said Gore after the hearing.
Rick Versace of the Florida Limousine Association, on the other hand, was nonplussed by the decision.
“I think any delay in implementing real protection for the consumers is putting the riding public in jeopardy. Obviously, they are afraid to make a decision, but postponing it doesn’t serve the public.”
