Minneapolis City Council member wants to reconsider rideshare ordinance as Uber shares exit plan

Ben Henry KSTP

Minneapolis reconsiders rideshare ordinance

The Minneapolis City Council is reconsidering its vote on the controversial rideshare ordinance, which recently passed.

As Uber outlines plans to move out of the metro, the Minneapolis City Council may be moving closer to reversing a vote that overrode a veto from the mayor.

This all surrounds the controversial ‘Transportation Ride Share Worker Protection Ordinance’ – along with strengthening protection for drivers, it also increases their pay. Both Uber and Lyft argue it would make rider fares too expensive and would drive away customers.

Last week, the Minneapolis City Council voted 10-3 to override a veto from Mayor Jacob Frey. But now, council member Andrea Jenkins officially filed a notice to reconsider the vote — she was one of the 10 council members who voted in favor.

The Council is now expected to take the reconsideration in Thursday’s city council meeting.

Pushing back against the reconsidering, authors of the ordinance, council members Robyn Wonsley, Jason Chavez, and Jamal Osman shared the following statement.

Pressure from large corporations like Uber and Lyft can be daunting. However, corporate pressure is not an acceptable reason to undermine basic workers’ rights. If Council Member Jenkins had spoken to us directly, we would have reassured that we are working to support new companies and remain in close conversation with state legislators. It is unfortunate that rather than discuss implementation and ways we can support new rideshares entering the market, Council Member Jenkins is attempting to make changes despite no new information or data since this vote took place last week.

Meanwhile, Uber sent a letter to its drivers, informing them they plan to shut down its Greenlight Hub located in Minneapolis — it’s the only facility in the metro that drivers have to go to for support. It’s also used to get new employees rolling in the Twin Cities.

The letter from Uber leadership writes in part:

We know that this decision will have a huge negative effect on the Twin Cities. It will put thousands of drivers – like you – out of work. And it will strand people looking to get to the office, to school, or back home safely after a night out.

The reason Jenkins possibly changing her vote is significant is because it moves the Council further away from a veto-proof vote. Nine council members need to vote in favor and the rideshare ordinance has ten.

City officials say it would take Jenkins and three others to change their vote in order to overturn the ordinance.

Editor’s Note: This article previously stated it would take Jenkins and one other person to change their vote in order to overturn the ordinance. This article has since been updated with the correct information.