Governor Tim Walz says a state committee continues to work with rideshare drivers and companies on how to move forward with better pay and job protections in Minnesota.
In May at the end of the legislative session, Walz vetoed a rideshare bill that was sent to him, and ordered further studies on the legislation. This past week, Mayor Jacob Frey vetoed a similar ordinance passed by the Minneapolis City Council.
Walz told WCCO's Vineeta Sawkar at the Minnesota State Fair Thursday that he agrees with what rideshare drivers are asking for, but more study is necessary before legislating a change.
"They 're trying to make a living wage, a dignified wage in a safe environment, and have a say over their own jobs," says Walz. "I think the fear is, I think this is one where it's a little dangerous, where we try and set those before we truly understand what the market is doing and what some of the other principals are."
The veto by Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey got a nod of approval from Walz.
"I think it's very difficult to be the test-subject in this before we get better data," explained the governor. "How much are they being paid? How much is the company making? How do you make sure that drivers are licensed and safe, and that the company has a recourse to make sure that those are the only people driving?"
Walz says a working committee is bringing drivers and rideshare companies together to help establish a statewide policy.
In announcing the veto in Minneapolis, Frey announced that Uber agreed to pay a $15.19 minimum wage, equivalent to the minimum wage in the city. Uber, according to Frey, has also guaranteed drivers will make at least $5 per trip, regardless of how long the trip is within the Minneapolis metro area.
Those same things are not guaranteed in the rest of Minnesota at this point.
Council members who voted for the ordinance were very critical of Frey's veto. Member Robin Wonsley was the ordinance's lead author and called it, "An inexcusable betrayal of Minneapolis workers."