UPDATE: The City of Phoenix has agreed to delay implementation of the rideshare ordinance fee util the Arizona Supreme Court rules on the matter.
PHOENIX – Both the Arizona Attorney General’s Office and the popular rideshare company, Uber, have taken action in the hopes of resolving the controversy surrounding the City of Phoenix’s Sky Harbor rideshare ordinance. The Attorney General’s Office filed a Special Action with the Arizona Supreme Court it to resolve the constitutionality of the ordinance.
The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) also filed a request with the Court to stay the ordinance. If granted, according to the AGO, the new rideshare fee would be halted “from going into effect until the Court has a chance to rule on the constitutionality of the fee.”
The AZ Attorney General’s Office has submitted a special action with the AZ Supreme Court to overturn the City of Phoenix’s unconstitutional Sky Harbor rideshare fee. Additionally, we’ve asked the Court to stay the Ordinance to stop the fees from going into effect on February 1.
— Mark Brnovich (@GeneralBrnovich) January 21, 2020
For its part, Uber sent a letter to City officials advising them that “in the event the Airport or City does not place a hold on the implementation of the proposed TNC fee increase, or a legal stay is not granted, we will be ceasing operations at the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport effective 11:59 p.m. on Friday, January 31st, 2020.”
Phoenix City Councilman Sal DiCiccio tweeted out the letter from Uber and added, “It’s official, Phoenix politicians will drive rideshare from the airport if their latest money-grab is not stopped.”
BREAKING: UBER TO PULL OUT OF SKY HARBOR IF RIDESHARE TAX IS NOT STOPPED
It’s official, Phoenix politicians will drive rideshare from the airport if their latest money-grab is not stopped.
Read the letter from @Uber here: pic.twitter.com/a3065u4x11
— Sal DiCiccio (@Sal_DiCiccio) January 22, 2020
A day after the Phoenix City Council approved a massive tax increase on ride-sharing services in mid-December, Rep. Nancy Barto called on the AGO to investigate the legality of the proposed increase.
The increase from $2.66 per pickup to $4 starting January 1, prompted Barto to file a SB1487 complaint with the AGO. The complaint requires the AGO to investigate alleged violations of the Arizona Constitution or state law.
This is insane. Phoenix citizens and our tourism industry rely on good transportation service from our airport. This tax will create a stain on our reputation worldwide. It lets the world know Phoenix is not open for business and will hurt our hard working citizens the most.
— Sal DiCiccio (@Sal_DiCiccio) January 22, 2020
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Uber To Cancel Service At Sky Harbor Should Phoenix City Council Pass $5 Tax