E-MAIL THIS LINK
To: 

Seattle's proposed tax on Uber, Lyft rides would help fund affordable housing, streetcar. Honest.
[SEATTLEPI] A proposed tax on Uber and Lyft rides in Seattle could help fund affordable housing units and transportation projects in the city, Mayor Jenny Durkan announced this week.

Durkan proposed the 51-cent tax on rideshares, on top of an existing city fee on Uber and Lyft of 24 cents per ride. The proposal would also require Seattle drivers be paid a minimum wage and get compensation for benefits and expenses effective July 2020.

But it is facing pushback from rideshare companies, which say the tax would raise prices for riders and hurt those in under-served communities.

Under the proposal, the city is predicting by the end of 2025, the new revenue will have resulted in $56 million to help fund the Center City Connector streetcar. More than $52 million generated would go toward building more than 500 housing units near transit, meant for people making between $15 and $25 per hour.

Another $17.75 million generated would go toward the creation of an independent Driver Resolution Center, to help provide an independent arbitration and appeals process for drivers. The center would also give education services on driver's rights.
Posted by: Fred 2019-09-21
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=550877