The Minnesota Legislature nearly drove Uber out of the state this past legislative session. Now, the city of Minneapolis is considering the implementation of those same regulations. 

Senator Omar Fateh championed a bill through both the Minnesota House and Senate that would raise the minimum wage and require benefits for rideshare workers. Uber actually made a public statement about the bill, saying they would be forced to leave Minnesota if passed.

Governor Walz only vetoed the bill due to this pressure. At the time, many believed that this insane and anti-business idea was dead. However, Minneapolis has brought this proposal back into the mainstream.

The Minneapolis City Council is being lobbied by the Minnesota Uber & Lyft Driver’s Associasion (MULDA) to hold a public hearing on the proposal. Now, the City Council is considering a hearing which would be scheduled for August 8th.

“We not asking for increased wages we asking for fair compensation” says an Uber driver outside the Minneapolis City Council chambers. pic.twitter.com/51UWH8bBCL

— Alfonzo “FoFo” Galvan (@GalvanReports) July 25, 2023

Their arguments sound nice but they do not change reality. Uber and Lyft cannot feasibly afford to offer their services when they cost more than their margins allow.

If Minneapolis passes increased wage and benefit packages for rideshare workers, do not be surprised if Uber follows through with threats to leave the state.