Welcome to the Tech Policy Podcast. I'm Evan Swartstraber, your host. Before we start today's show, I want to let you all know, as I mentioned a couple episodes previously that we're trying out new equipment. We've upgraded the stuff we use to record

the podcast in an effort to up our game and better serve you, the listener. And in that vein,

I want to know what you think of the show. Are we covering the issues that you care about?

Do you have guests that you'd like to see on the show? Do you have topics you want discussed?

Do you have a question you want answered on a future episode? So let us know at media attechfredom.org or tweet at us at

Tech Freedom or post a message on our Facebook page on Tech Freedom and we really do value

your input. So please don't hesitate to reach out. On today's show, Uber and Lyft have ceased

operations in Austin, Texas. Back in December,

the Austin City Council passed a series of regulations that the two companies felt were pretty

burdensome. So they backed a popular ballot referendum to overturn those regulations. And that that vote

failed. And in response, rather than complying with

the regulations, the two companies have decided to leave the city. What does this mean for the future

of Rye-Charing in Austin? Will other cities learn from this example? Joining me to discuss this is

Jared Meyer, Research Fellow at the Manhattan Institute. And he's got a book coming out next month called Uber Positive, Why Americans Love, the Sharing Economy. Jared, thanks for joining

the show yet again. Thanks for having me, Evan. If I could have one point of feedback, you need more

Uber on the tech policy podcast. We just don't talk about it enough. I'm pretty sure you are a most

frequent guest other than the Supreme Leader of Tech Freedom, Baran Soca. But Jared, so what exactly happened in Austin? What were

these regulations that the two companies found so burdensome that they were willing to shut down

operations in the city? Well, back in December 2015, the Austin City Council passed some regulations

that applied to transportation network companies or ride-sharing companies. And the main beef that the

companies had with these regulations was that all the drivers would have to go through background

checks that require fingerprinting. Now, make no mistake, Uber and Lyft already voluntarily make their drivers go through pretty extensive background checks that require fingerprinting. Now, make no mistake, Uber and Lyft already voluntarily

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