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Spring 2009 Issue

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Supervisor Daly Proposes Ballot Measure to Preserve Prop K

Supervisor Chris Daly is sponsoring a proposed ballot measure that would place the basic principles of Proposition K of 1978 into the City Charter, where they would be safe from the designs of the MTA.

As soon as the MTA took over taxi regulation in March, the agency's staff proposed medallion sales as a means of raising $15 million from the industry. (See accompanying article.) The MTA Board approved the money as part of its budget for the coming year, without any discussion of a plan for the sale of medallions, or whether the idea had any merit at all.

The proposed Charter mendment contains the essential features of Prop K. It would require the MTA to provide prompt, courteous, honest and adequate service to the public, and ensure that medallions remain non-transferable city property that can only be issued to experienced taxi drivers. It also sets the driving requirement for medallion holders and applicants and requires the MTA to make provision for driver benefits.

The measure will have a public hearing at the Board of Supervisors' Rules Committee, possibly as soon as June 18. If it is approved in committee, it would need the support of six supervisors to get onto the November ballot.

Should the measure get on the ballot, there will likely be fierce opposition from medallion holders who want to sell their city-issued permits for six-figure sums, and from cab companies that are looking to get medallions for themselves.

If you want to keep that from happening and preserve opportunities for drivers, contact UTW at
864-8294.

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