Lawmakers in Minnesota have reached an agreement to keep rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft operating in the state. The agreement includes a new pay rate for drivers at $1.28 per mile and $0.31 per minute, representing a 20% pay increase. The deal also includes additional protections and benefits for drivers. This agreement comes after Uber and Lyft threatened to exit the state due to a Minneapolis ordinance that would have required higher pay for drivers. The companies had been working with lawmakers to find a statewide solution.
The announcement of the agreement came just before 10 p.m. on a Saturday night, during the final hours of the legislative session. The agreement, which still needs to pass the House and Senate, would preempt the city of Minneapolis’ ordinance that mandated higher pay for drivers. Governor Tim Walz had vetoed a previous rideshare bill last year, but this new proposal aims to provide the best deal for drivers while keeping Uber and Lyft in the state. The Senate had gone into recess for 10 hours on Saturday as negotiations took place behind closed doors.
As the clock ticks down on the legislative session, the fate of other bills remains uncertain. Lawmakers must adjourn by Monday and pass all bills by Sunday night. The intense negotiations surrounding the rideshare agreement have led to criticism from Republican leaders, who were kept out of the negotiations and only learned of the agreement during the press conference. Despite calls from Republicans to address rideshare regulations earlier in the session, the agreement was reached in the final hours.
The agreement between lawmakers and rideshare companies is considered to be the strongest in the country, with significant protections, insurance provisions, deactivation protocols, and pay rates for drivers. Both Democrats and Republicans have expressed their concerns and opinions about the agreement, with Republicans criticizing the lack of involvement in the negotiations. The developing story will continue to be updated as the legislation makes its way through the House and Senate.
The agreement reached in Minnesota aims to strike a balance between ensuring fair pay for rideshare drivers and keeping popular companies like Uber and Lyft in the state. The negotiations have been tense and intense, with lawmakers working against the clock to pass important legislation before the end of the session. Both Democrats and Republicans have weighed in on the agreement, with differing opinions on the process and outcome. As the legislation progresses, more details will emerge about its impact on rideshare operations in Minnesota.
