People opening the ride-sharing app Uber recently were likely asked how they feel about new legislation which would allow the company to operate across all of Florida. The question is part of the company’s push for lawmakers to pass new ride sharing legislation.With just five days left in the legislative session, Uber is ramping up its campaign get the Florida State Senate to vote on legislation that would override local governments and prevent them from regulating Uber and other ride-sharing companies.Uber's campaign includes a new feature in the Uber app that asks riders to vote for all of Florida to have access to its service.People who cast a vote in the Uber app will be directed to a page where they’ll have the oppourtunity to post a message or tweet to Senator Andy Gardiner or other state leaders.The campaign specifically targets Sen. Gardiner, of Orlando, because Uber claims Gardiner is blocking the legislation due to his ties to Mears transportation, a major player in the taxicab industry. A bill that would effectively clear the way for Uber did pass the house and now Uber wants the Senate to vote on that same bill. However, Senate leaders have been reluctant to preempt local governments. A spokeswoman for Sen. Gardiner sent WESH 2 News a statement that said no senator filed a companion to the House Bill requiring state preemption. She she went on to point out a bill involving liability coverage requirements for ride-sharing has been filed in the Senate and is available for a vote before the session ends.The outcome of the latest Uber battle will be determined by Friday, the day lawmakers finish their work.

People opening the ride-sharing app Uber recently were likely asked how they feel about new legislation which would allow the company to operate across all of Florida. The question is part of the company’s push for lawmakers to pass new ride sharing legislation.

With just five days left in the legislative session, Uber is ramping up its campaign get the Florida State Senate to vote on legislation that would override local governments and prevent them from regulating Uber and other ride-sharing companies.


Uber's campaign includes a new feature in the Uber app that asks riders to vote for all of Florida to have access to its service.

People who cast a vote in the Uber app will be directed to a page where they’ll have the oppourtunity to post a message or tweet to Senator Andy Gardiner or other state leaders.

The campaign specifically targets Sen. Gardiner, of Orlando, because Uber claims Gardiner is blocking the legislation due to his ties to Mears transportation, a major player in the taxicab industry.

A bill that would effectively clear the way for Uber did pass the house and now Uber wants the Senate to vote on that same bill. However, Senate leaders have been reluctant to preempt local governments.

A spokeswoman for Sen. Gardiner sent WESH 2 News a statement that said no senator filed a companion to the House Bill requiring state preemption. She she went on to point out a bill involving liability coverage requirements for ride-sharing has been filed in the Senate and is available for a vote before the session ends.

The outcome of the latest Uber battle will be determined by Friday, the day lawmakers finish their work.