Gov. Walz vetoes rideshare legislation, pushing to next legislative session

In light of Uber’s threat to terminate services outside the Twin Cities, Governor Tim Walz has struck down the rideshare legislation in its current form.

“Rideshare drivers deserve fair wages and safe working conditions. I am committed to finding solutions that balance the interests of all parties, including drivers and riders,” said Walz in Thursday’s announcement. “This is not the right bill to achieve these goals. I have spent my career fighting for workers, and I will continue to work with drivers, riders, and rideshare companies to address the concerns that this bill sought to address.”

The Governor has now issued an executive order to commission a study, and convene a working group of drivers, riders, rideshare companies, members of the disability community, and labor to issue recommendations for rideshare legislation for the next legislative session.

The Governor’s executive order also requires the Department of Labor and Industry to commission a study to obtain and analyze data released to the working conditions of rideshare drivers in Minnesota, and how potential changes may impact access and cost for riders.