The Minneapolis City Council Thursday approved new rules that would make rideshare workers among the highest paid in the country – but it faces a possible veto by Mayor Jacob Frey.
The 7-5 vote was met with cheers from dozens of supporters, who have championed the measure as a victory for dignity and fair wages. Opponents, however, worry that the move could lead to unaffordable fares, hurt driver income and disproportionately affect lower-income riders.
In advance of the vote, Uber and Lyft threatened to vastly curtail service or pull out of Minneapolis completely, should the city approve the ordinance – a threat they've made elsewhere but not always followed through on.
Council President Andrea Jenkins and Council Members Elliott Payne, Robin Wonsley, Jamal Osman, Jason Chavez, Aisha Chughtai and Jeremiah Ellison voted in favor of the ordinance, while council Vice President Linea Palmisano and Council Members Michael Rainville, LaTrisha Vetaw, Emily Koski and Andrew Johnson voted no. Council Member Lisa Goodman was absent for the vote; she told the Star Tribune she has "concerns" with the ordinance.
Frey has expressed strong reservations about the ordinance, but has not yet said whether he'll veto it. Thursday, a Frey spokeswoman said "he needs time to review the ordinance and the amendments made to it." He has until noon Wednesday to act. Nine votes would be needed to override a veto.
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