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Op-Eds

Tallahassee City Commission right on Uber vote

by Christian Cámara
July 18, 2015
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issues: Regulatory Reform
originally published in Tallahassee Democrat
Last week, the Tallahassee City Commission showed that even a broken clock is right twice a day. I have oftentimes taken issue with its decisions over the years —especially the vote to increase my property taxes yet again. But I feel compelled to give credit where credit is due.

As local governments around the state take protectionist, anti-market steps under the guise of “public safety” to undermine competition and drive out ride-sharing companies such as Uber and Lyft, Tallahassee commissioners actually did the right thing.

The commission enacted sensible regulations — focused on public safety rather than market interference — which will allow ride-sharing and taxi companies to safely coexist. This is not only a win for consumers, but more importantly, it preserves an alternative many have used to avoid getting behind the wheel after a night of drinking.

Unfortunately, other local governments around the state have elected to enact onerous regulations intended to drive out competition rather than to foster it. The Legislature should therefore still revisit this issue during next year’s session so that all Floridians may access the competitive transportation options that we enjoy in Tallahassee.

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