D.C. robotaxi bill appears to be going nowhere after progressive revolt
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D.C.'s robotaxi bill appears dead this year after Mayor-elect Janeese Lewis George led a group of progressive lawmakers to block its advancement.
Why it matters: Waymo had been raring to operate in the nation's capital, while opponents — including a shadowy group spending millions, alongside labor union organizing — went out in full force to argue against the tech, worrying about job losses.
Driving the news: Despite last-minute tweaks to mollify labor concerns, Council members Lewis George, Zachary Parker and Elissa Silverman voted against the bill in the Transportation Committee on Thursday afternoon.
- They cited concerns with legalizing commercial robotaxis on D.C. streets, where everyday motorists, bikers and pedestrians often mix with motorcades and protests.
- "We cannot afford to rush the process of employment and make our streets even less safe," said Lewis George.
Council member Charles Allen, who authored the legislation, noted the city has been weighing the issue for "two and a half years."
- In a last-ditch effort, Allen revised his bill this week to insert a provision allowing independent contractor rideshare drivers to unionize in D.C., which Uber and Lyft would likely challenge under federal law.
- Allen's revisions also made concessions to the AV industry, like cutting in half a tax proposed on robotaxis, charging them 7.5 cents for each mile traveled. He also lowered upfront permitting fees from an originally proposed $6 million to $15,000, plus $750 per vehicle.
- "If the Council does not adopt this, I think it's an embarrassment," Council Chairman Phil Mendelson said before casting a rare committee-level vote, which deadlocked 3-3.
What they're saying: A spokesperson for Waymo, which has been teasing expanding its facilities in D.C., said "postponing this debate delays the additional investments and jobs that come with scaling our operations."
What we're watching: What do labor unions want? An SEIU official tells Axios that the union told Allen they "need fair wage standards for rideshare drivers."
- "Ultimately, collective bargaining alone is not enough," the union says it told Allen — pointing to more labor concessions in the offing before labor will support the bill.