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RICH FUNI(E

FIINKE NYSt NAThGOV

Senator, 55TH DIstrict

June 13, 2016

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

NYS Capitol Building
Albany NY 12224
Honorable John J. Flanagan
Senator Majority Leader
New York State Senate
NYS Capitol Building, Room 332
Albany, NY 12247
Speaker Carl Heastie
Speaker of the New York State Assembly
Room 932 LOB
Albany, NY 12248

Dear Governor Cuomo, Majority Leader Flanagan, and Speaker Heastie,

As this years legislative session nears its end, it is imperative that we come together to
pass a bill that would benefit communities like ours across Upstate New York. We believe that
taking legislative action to allow ridesharing would help grow jobs and the economy in cities and
towns throughout the state.
Senator Sewards version of the insurance-only bill has broad support from stakeholders.
It sets insurance requirements for ridesharing up to 20 times as stringent as those followed by
local taxi companies, while also ensuring that localities can regulate other critical issues related
to ridesharing as they see fit.
Services like Uber and Lyft are allowed to operate in nearly every other State in the
country and in hundreds of cities around the globe. However, residents and visitors in vital
Upstate cities like Rochester and Syracuse still dont have the same access. Continued inaction
would mean our communities will miss out on significant economic opportunities, from the jobs
that would be created for drivers, to the new transit options that would help attract investment, to
the added benefit of making our roads safer for everyone.

Plainly put, our friends and neighbors want this. A recent Siena Poll showed that Upstate
residents overwhelmingly support bringing ridesharing to our communities. The people have
spoken. Now it is up to the legislature to listen and take action.
We respectfully request your support in delivering a solution that would authorize
ridesharing and grow jobs, improve transportation, and enhance quality of life across UpstaEe
New York.

Sincerely,
7/ce
Senator Rich Funke

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Senator Michael Rarnhofer

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Senator Terrance Murphy

Senator George Amedore

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Senator David Carlucci

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Senator Kathy Marchione

Senator David Valesky

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Sator Susan Serino