Rep. Jason Isaac
State Rep. Jason Isaac has asked the Federal Trade Commission to investigate Austin’s rules for ride-hailing companies, raising concerns that the city’s “burdensome regulations” are anti-competitive.
In the letter dated June 7, Isaac said he thought the city “erected a pernicious barrier to competition” through its rules, which have become a point of contention in the statewide discussion about which layer of government should ultimately regulate the industry.
“I think this turned into an immature battle that left some people really scared and things were done out of a vindictive nature,” Isaac, R-Dripping Springs, said in an interview Thursday. “I personally believe that this is anti-competitive in nature, but I want to ask the FTC if they think it’s anti-competitive.”
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In his letter, Isaac suggested the Austin City Council knew adopting the fingerprinting ordinance would spur Uber and Lyft to leave the city and, in turn, would “return the marketplace” to taxi companies.
“Despite knowing the ramifications of their vote, the Council added burdensome regulations and put the city at risk,” Isaac wrote.
Jason Stanford, a spokesman for Adler, said the city wants to have ride-hailing services.
“Nothing we’ve done would prevent Uber and Lyft from operating now in Austin just as before, and they are welcome to come back at any time,” he said in a statement. “All such companies operating here would be entitled to receive the same kinds of support and encouragement.”
You can read Rep. Isaac’s letter to the FTC here. Putting aside the absurdity of a Tea Party legislator calling in the Federal Government to intervene in a local matter – does Rep. Isaac want someone to pin a “Primary me!” sign on his back? – there’s the small matter of ridesharing startups sprouting in Austin like bluebonnets in March since the Prop 1 vote and subsequent Uber/Lyft pullout. How terrible can these regulations be if new options keep appearing in Austin (here’s another one!) seemingly every week? I pity the poor FTC official who will have to reply to this silliness with a straight face.
Once citizens get a good taste of unlimited market entry vehicle for hire/which reduces their ride price to 18$ from 60$ from the old taxi closed medallion system to the new unlimited entry system,they will never go back and any elected official that attempts to push citizens back in time will not be an elected official in office for long,the only complete solution is every city needs to abolish limited taxi medallion system in Austin Tx,Galveston Tx ,Mayor Ivy Taylor of San Antonio Texas and globally. I think it is sad that Austin government and it’s Mayor do not realize what tragedy in history they are apart of.