Greenfield Bill Looks to Curb Uber Pricing
Midwood City Councilman David Greenfield proposal to cap livery or car service companies from charging more than 100% of the usual rate was heard before the council’s Committee on Transportation this week.
This law would apply to all car services, including black car and limousine services, but squarely targets online apps including Uber and Lyft that Greenfield says charges as much as 900% more than the usual fare.
“If it looks like price-gouging, and it sounds like price-gouging, and it acts like price-gouging, it is probably price-gouging,” said Greenfield. “You can use all sorts of fancy names — you can call it surge pricing, dynamic pricing, competitive pricing, but at the end of the day it is simply price-gouging.”
Greenfield said at the maximum rate, Uber could charge $789 from his district in Midwood to LaGuardia airport – a trip that would normally be $40.
It is unclear at press time when or if Greenfield’s proposal will make it to a full City Council vote or how much support the bill has among lawmaker colleagues in the council.
Storm Recovery Meeting
The Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery is inviting neighbors in Mill Basin, Mill Island, Marine Park, Bergen Beach, and Georgetown to attend a public meeting tonight to learn about projects proposed for funding, and the contents of the final NY Rising Community Reconstruction (NYRCR) Plan for Southeast Brooklyn Waterfront, designed to help meet the Community’s recovery needs.
The NYRCR program leverages local knowledge and builds upon existing local efforts to help storm-impacted Communities become more resilient through innovative community-driven plans.
The NYRCR is one of several Storm Recovery Initiatives and was established to provide additional rebuilding and revitalization assistance to communities severely damaged by Superstorm Sandy, Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee.
When: Wednesday, January 14, 7pm to 9pm
Where: Carmine Carro Community Center, 3000 Fillmore Ave., Brooklyn NY 11229
Contact: Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery, info@stormrecovery.ny.gov
Cuomo Appoints Ken Adams, Bill Thompson
Governor Andrew Cuomo this week appointed two prominent Brooklynites to key positions in his administration.
Former Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce President and Carroll Gardens resident Kenneth Adams was appointed as Commissioner of the State Department of Taxation and Finance.
“Congratulations to my good friend Kenneth Adams on his appointment,” said Brooklyn Chamber President and CEO Carlo A. Scissura. “I know very well what incredible things Ken is capable of, from my time working with him in his most recent positions as President and CEO of Empire State Development and Commissioner of the New York State Department of Economic Development. Governor Cuomo could not have chosen a better person for the job, and I am confident Ken will continue to do amazing things in his new role to improve the lives of New Yorkers.”
Cuomo also appointed former city comptroller and mayoral candidate Bill Thompson as chair of the state Housing Finance Agency and the Mortgage Agency.
