Steve Crisafulli supportive of Uber legislation, says progress is all but inevitable

Speaker Steve Crisafulli told FloridaPolitics.com in a pre-session interview that he supports an ongoing effort on behalf of St. Petersburg state Sen. Jeff Brandes and once-and-future Tampa state Rep. Jamie Grant to pass a statewide framework to legalize Uber, Lyft and other ridesharing businesses, which are, as of now, operating in something of a legal gray space.

Crisafulli joins a growing chorus of lawmakers and citizens alike who are frustrated by the actions of some county and local governments who are obstructing the use of popular ridesharing services owing to pressure by so-called Big Taxi and other large transportation companies that are looking to outlaw competition.

Their gambit is unlikely to work in the long run, according to the speaker.

“Look, I have an Uber app on my phone,” said Crisafulli Wednesday morning. “I had a mayor in here yesterday that said it’s actually like trying to stop the Internet. It’s coming, you know, so how are we going to do it?”

Crisafulli signified his support for a plan to implement a regulatory framework at the state level that would preempt ordinances by local bodies, who Brandes has said are essentially aiding anticompetitive behavior for provincial reasons.

“I think, most importantly, the insurance component, the background checks — making sure that first and foremost public safety is not affected is a major priority,” said Crisafulli, speaking along the same lines of the Brandes-Grant legislation expected to make the rounds this session. “There’s no question that there are those on the other side of the issue, whether it’s the cab drivers or large transportation companies, but to me, I think they can become part of it and benefit.”

Though Brandes’ and Grant’s bill died in committee last year after pushback from the transportation industry, partially owing to a lack of familiarity with the issue among lawmakers, Crisafulli says that this year history is not likely to repeat itself. And this time, the legislation will have the added weight of a House speaker’s favor:

“It’s coming, it’s just a matter of when. I’m supportive of the concept.”