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Protectionist behavior inadvertently shaped Florida into the tourism mecca it is today. In the early 1960s, Walt Disney had plans to locate his new studios and theme parks in New Orleans, but he faced such fierce protectionist behavior from officials there that he chose Central Florida instead. The rest is history, and Floridians can hardly imagine life without Disney.
Fast-forward 50 years. Florida is now turning away a popular new service in global commerce — Uber’s mobile application that connects passengers with drivers — and watching on the sidelines as the technology company expands to more than 100 cities and 35 nations.
People in Moscow and Taipei can use Uber, but not in Miami and Tampa. Oklahoma City has Uber, but Orlando finds itself siding with taxi companies, rather than the innovative company eager to create jobs in Florida.
As a Floridian, I know Uber will work here. Disney not only made films — he made magic, and that is what is happening at Uber: magic. This technology and the people who drive it have made it possible to power our lives at the touch of a button.
Data compiled by ECONorthwest shows Uber’s gross economic impact on Chicago in 2013 was estimated at more than $46 million, with more than 1,000 new jobs grossed. Using the same impact per person, Uber’s potential gross impact in Florida’s top five metro areas could be more than $50 million annually, and account for more than 1,100 new jobs in one year. This does not account for the millions of visitors who would use Uber’s services.
Floridians are frustrated. We have seen more than 100,000 people in Florida try to use Uber to no avail. Local governments have passed laws Miami, Tampa and Orlando that establish inflated price controls, minimum required wait times and supply caps on licenses. So, if you want to arrange a town-car ride in Miami, you must pay at least $70 and wait at least an hour. Good luck even finding an available car. There are only 625 licensed to do business in Dade County because there’s an artificial cap on licenses.
Fortunately, lawmakers are proposing legislation to prevent local governments from using price controls, required wait times and supply caps. Tell your state representatives to pass legislation this year that allows for consumer choice and competition in transportation. Tell them to move Florida forward.
Justin Kintz leads public policy in the Americas for Uber Technologies. Column courtesy of Context Florida.
