Posted on 05/05/2015 1:58:56 PM PDT by xzins
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) -- Uber says it's ceasing operations in Kansas following the Kansas Legislature's veto of SB 117.
The Republican-controlled Kansas Senate has overridden GOP Gov. Sam Brownback's veto of a bill imposing new regulations on ride-hailing companies like Uber.
The measure would require drivers for ride-hailing companies to undergo Kansas Bureau of Investigation background checks. They'd also need additional auto insurance coverage beyond the $1 million Uber offers when drivers are logged into its network or transporting passengers.
Uber had said the measure would push it out of the state.
Governor Brownback released the following statement following the override:
"... Uber, and other innovative businesses, should be encouraged to operate, grow and create jobs here in Kansas."
(Excerpt) Read more at kake.com ...
See post 17. Xzins might be on to something.
States have vast authority, but I’m not sure they ought to be allowed to engage in discriminatory, rent-seeking protectionism. It’s a form of corporate welfare.
I don’t want to pretend to know a lot about the cab business, but my understanding is that the partnership between cab companies and government is exactly how it operates in most cities.
rofl. the crown vics get 8 to 10 miles to the gallon they are 96 percent of what’s used on Staten island still, maybe hither
glad to know you’re such a big fan of regulations.
Well most Republicans are liberals. They have sorts proven that a few thousand tomes this year.. This shouldn’t shock anyone when they act like it.
Here in Tampa the wife and I use Uber whenever we’re going out for dinner or drinks, and we don’t want to run the risk of DUI. I must say that on all the occasions I’ve used the service, the drivers were polite, the cars clean, and we got to our destination safe and sound.
He doesn’t agree with regulation if it involves collusion between business and government....cronyism.
Seems to me that you should be able to make that choice.
exactly. I’m reading some of the comments on this thread and shaking my head. kansas legislature and FreeRepublic has been infiltrated by Republicrats.
“That’s an angle I hadn’t considered: collusion between existing cab companies and the government to keep out competition.”
That’s pretty much the taxi-cab business everywhere. Then add unionized cab drivers and it’s a perfect political storm. The businesses don’t want competition and the union doesn’t want competition. So dems and R’s have cover to vote for restricted market access.
In Colorado, we partly saved Uber and Lyft from PUC regulation. The taxi companies and unions went to the PUC and the PUC was going to put Uber out of business here. R’s in the legislature lead the charge (mostly) to put limits on what the PUC could do.
This law is just dead wrong, a violation of the free market principles we proclaim and of the idea of entrepreneurship.
I wonder if Uber could get this tossed on Fourteenth Amendment grounds.
I have. In 2000 I hired a taxi to drive from Bangkok, Thailand up to Udonthani, Thailand. That was an all day trip. The price was pay for the gasoline, LPG, (it was a dual fuel taxi,) and include him for meals along the way. Total cost was under $100.
Two weeks later used the same guy and taxi to return to Bangkok, then the next day for a trip down to Hua Hin beach.
Same rate, pay for fuel and include him in meals.
We need to elect more Republicans then /s
I’m assuming that trip is no longer classified, ASA.
:>)
Only if they also happen to be a conservative.
The biggest problem is that its entire business model is built on the inefficiencies caused by drivers who don't know and/or don't pay the true cost of the service they're providing, coupled with a company that relies on loopholes in laws and regulations that are quickly being closed off.
Then the correct solution is to remove regulation for all, not add regulation to push out the upstarts.
The only travel restriction I dealt with was not being allowed to cross the Thai-Lao friendship bridge up in Nong Khai.
You didn’t perchance, bump into John Kerry on a navy boat up there, did you?
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