The Democratic comptroller of New York City voiced opposition Wednesday to Mayor Bill de Blasio’s plan to limit the number of new Uber licenses to 200 per year.
The answer is not to cap one part of the industry over another Scott Stringer said on Wednesday to Jose Díaz-Balart. Stringer compared de Blasio’s proposed legislation to capping competitors in another industry.
"Would you cap Samsung and not Apple—let’s limit cell phones?" Stringer said. "No. You figure out how that smartphone industry benefits the world or benefits the city and act accordingly."
Stringer flipped de Blasio’s argument against Uber and highlighted taxicab unions’ exploitation of immigrants over the year with low wages and few benefits. He also said technology has created competition for first time in New York City, and that we should be expanding the transportation network.
Uber’s growth could prove an end to poorly paid cab drivers. In a study commissioned by Uber, the company claims its drivers make $6 more per hour than their unionized competitors.
Stringer accused the far-left mayor of prioritizing politics over what is best for the city in his public war with the ride-sharing app.
"Don’t take action before we have data. We are doing it all backwards," Stringer said. "We don’t want a political solution, we want a data solution."
The Democrat advocated for a delay the City Council’s vote on the "arbitrary" proposal.
"Right now, this is about politics—and that’s not how you build transportation," Stringer said.