Ahead of a possible City Council vote next week to limit the growth of the taxi service Uber, the company is engaged in a full-court press to operate without additional restrictions. Uber has brought aboard some well-known political operatives to make its case. NY1’s Zack Fink filed this report.
The taxi service Uber, is bringing in the big guns to stop the City Council's efforts to limit its growth. Uber has already hired a former top aide to Governor Cuomo, and the company is also contracting with the top spokesman for former Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
On Tuesday, Former Obama campaign manager David Plouffe held a meeting with prominent African-American clergy leaders in Harlem, in an effort to make Uber's right to expand a racial and economic justice issue.
"I do not understand. There is a lot of discussion in this city by some leaders about progressive politics, about economic inequality and economic opportunity. What you are doing is killing over 10,000 jobs in the next year, maybe many more after that," said Plouffe.
Plouffe, who took a couple of veiled shots at Mayor de Blasio, confirmed that he recently met with the Reverend Al Sharpton, a de Blasio ally, whom Plouffe described as "concerned." Sharpton's representative joined the Uber team's press conference Tuesday.
"For a century, we have been locked out of transportation in this city. We being people of color, people who do not live in Manhattan," said National Action Network Representative Kirsten John Foy.
Last month, the City Council heard testimony on a bill that would cap Uber's growth. The bill has the strong support of Mayor de Blasio, who says traffic congestion needs to be limited.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the mayor said, "The proposed policy applies only to new vehicles, not to new drivers. It would not prevent new drivers from entering the industry. To say otherwise is both inflammatory and untrue."
Supporters say Uber is helping to reverse longstanding discrimination by taxis.
"For those of us, especially African American males, when you stand out on a street corner, you are standing out and waiting for that person to pick you up. Well, I don't want to wait any longer. We want to stand up for what is right," Assemblyman Michael Blake said.
The earliest the City Council will vote on the Uber bill is next Thursday. According to a spokesperson for City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, she has not taken a position on the bill and is currently reviewing testimony from the hearing.