Bill To Regulate Ride-Sharing Companies Statewide Heads To Governor

A bill that would regulate ride-sharing companies Uber and Lyft statewide is headed to Gov. Scott Walker’s desk.

The plan would also preempt tougher local ordinances for ride-sharing companies like the one in Madison.

The plan passed on a voice vote on Tuesday in the state Senate.

State Sen. Paul Farrow, R-Pewaukee, argued that the state should encourage companies like these because young people want them.

“The millennials want flexibility. If you ask them to the T, they want a car to pick them up at the house, take them wherever they want to go, bring them back, and they’re done,” Farrow said.

Critics argued the plan will put traditional taxi companies at a competitive disadvantage and will mostly help multi-billion-dollar companies with no direct ties to Wisconsin.