e-mail obtained byMotherboardshow that Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto has an extremely informal kinship with Uber ’s CEO Travis Kalanick . The mayor has actively attempt to mold government proceedings on behalf of the ride - divvy up giant .
https://jalopnik.com/are-ubers-self-driving-cars-driving-like-asshats-around-1787451574
Uber hasfaced accusationsof run for roughshod over local regulatory processes before . Theemailsobtained through a Pennsylvania Right to Know Act request provide a peek at how the party manipulate the system through backroom dealings .
The most eyebrow - raising revelation is that Mayor Peduto was actively in contact with Kalanick when he write a varsity letter to the nation of Pennsylvania ’s Public Utility Commission which had break water Uber for operating without permit . The missive begged for leniency in the event because Uber “ is investing hundreds of millions of dollars in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and is poised to invest millions more . ” The city manager goes on to relay his fears that Uber will pluck out its influx of hard currency if the country does n’t play nice , “ all this could be lost if we send the message that Pennsylvania is not a welcoming blank space for twenty-first century businesses and other job - creators looking to make our state a rest home . ”
The PUC at last decided to uphold the mulct — the highest in the agency ’s account . One minute after the ruling , Peduto sent an e-mail to Kalanick with the capable “ Fwd : Uber Fine . ” It only said , “ Bad news out of Harrisburg … . ”
In what is probably the most embarrassing exchange , the city manager forwarded his ride history to the Uber CEO with the bootlicking message , “ 218 miles . Any other mayors amount close ? ”
Thewhole reportis well worth a read . It show the most powerful politician in Pittsburgh receive babble points from Uber lobbyists and requesting stats to present to the Governor of Pennsylvania , among other things . It also casts new light on the fellowship ’s determination to take Pittsburgh as the household of its flagship self - drive car program . It would make mother wit to plunge such a likely liability in a Ithiel Town that is sure to be politically favorable .
As Rick Claypool , research director at Public Citizen puts it , “ The emails suggest Peduto is patient zero here , with him kind of carrying water for the society and engage other politician . ”
[ Motherboard ]
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