Ryan Ray
A proposed ordinance to regulate Uber and other ride-sharing 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 its 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.
After rumors of an easy passage for the bill — whip counts of 4-1 in favor 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 that night.
Commissioner Scott Maddox suggested that the commission take a cooling-off period to see where the Legislature lands on the issue. Sen. Jeff Brandes and Rep. Matt Gaetz had a press conference Wednesday morning on the ride-sharing 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 Florida Politics 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,” Gore said 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.”
