PRESS RELEASE: Jenkins Asserts County Leaders Threaten Ride Sharing Legislation in Westchester

Meanwhile, State Leaves Counties Without Revenues from New Transportation Option

WHITE PLAINS, NY — June 24, 2017 — “The proposed Astorino/Kaplowitz Ride Share opt-out legislation will halt conversations on ride sharing in Westchester, eliminating our ability to have further discussion on the legislation. Meanwhile, our state officials did not properly codify existing passenger safety regulations into the legislation for Westchester,” conveyed Ken Jenkins, Westchester County Legislator.

“The County Executive and the Chair of the Board of Legislators have wasted more than a year and a half, suppressing legislative debate and failing to have public discussion and input,” said Jenkins. “This 11th hour, last gasp grasp by Astorino and Kaplowitz will make it impossible to explore all the options, and once again failing to get the best deal for Westchester.”

Jenkins proposed the legislation in March of 2016 to codify existing safety measures once ride-sharing services became legal. The bill would have required that drivers be subject to fingerprinting and background checks, as is regulation with other taxi services throughout the County. After a long battle, ride sharing services are now legal statewide. Legalization comes with a catch; the state keeps all the revenue from these services.

“Our state government should have done more to protect passengers at the local level,” said Jenkins. “This bill did not include a major passenger safety regulations, fingerprinting and background checks. Now, implementation is further delayed so that our County government can  ensure that residents are protected from significantly different driver safety rules.”

“Some Westchester state legislators should have focused more on the impact to the riding public in Westchester instead of political career goals,” said Jenkins.  The State passed the bill leaving the Counties with zero revenue from the ride-sharing services.  Rather than assigning a portion of the revenues to County governments, the state is taking it all.  The original State legislation had 4% going to the Counties.  “Where were our leaders when Counties were left behind in this legislation?”

“When the State Legislature returns to the capital to deal with New York City Mayoral Control, I am calling for a moratorium so that the State could consider safety concerns and fiscal impact,” said Jenkins. “This is an interim step to continue discussions with ride share companies and to understand modifications that may be needed at the State to level the playing field for all.”

https://www.jenkinsforwestchester.com/