Government & Policy

Discover the new law in Minnesota that will result in higher pay for Uber and Lyft drivers. Starting from January 1, 2025, drivers will earn a minimum of .28 per mile and [cyberseo_openai model="gpt-3.5-turbo-16k" prompt="Write a meta description for the following article to rank it in Google: ## Higher Pay for Uber and Lyft Drivers in Minnesota Uber and Lyft drivers in Minnesota are set to receive higher pay, thanks to a new law that has been agreed upon by the state and the two ride-hailing giants. The deal, which is expected to be signed by Governor Tim Walz, will provide some protections for drivers while also placing limits on state government. Starting from January 1, 2025, drivers will be entitled to earn at least $1.28 per mile and $0.31 per minute. These rates align with recommendations from a state study on driver compensation, which suggested rates between $0.89 and $1.207 per mile and $0.487 per minute. While this new law brings an end to a months-long saga during which Uber and Lyft threatened to leave the state multiple times, it does not resolve the ongoing debate over who should set wages for gig economy workers. Instead, it presents a compromise that offers some benefits to everyone involved, except perhaps the riders. Uber's senior director of public policy, Josh Gold, expressed the company's satisfaction with continuing operations in Minnesota and acknowledged that the deal provides some pricing flexibility. However, he also mentioned that Uber still considers the rates to be too high. Gold's statement raises concerns that riders and drivers will feel the impact of increased rates, leading to a decrease in demand. While this argument is not entirely baseless, it fails to acknowledge the benefits of higher pay and other protections outlined in the bill, such as vehicle insurance and compensation for on-the-job injuries. These protections come at a cost, as seen in New York City where Uber and Lyft are required to contribute to the Black Car Fund, which provides drivers with worker's compensation. The 2.75% levy on each fare is ultimately borne by the riders. The fear of increased costs for riders was a key factor in Governor Walz vetoing a previous version of the bill. He believed that it would make Minnesota one of the most expensive states for ride-hailing services. However, some local politicians are unhappy with the new law because it preempts Minneapolis and other cities from enacting their own wage floors. Minneapolis, where 95% of all taxi and ride-hail trips occur, had previously passed an ordinance guaranteeing drivers a minimum rate of $1.40 per mile and $0.51 per minute. Uber and Lyft opposed this bill, claiming that it would make operating in the city too expensive. The involvement of the Minnesota legislature came about after Uber and Lyft threatened to leave the city by May 1, 2024. They expressed a willingness to stay if the state government intervened, which it ultimately did. Critics of the new law argue that it undermines local control and is a tactic used by corporations to exert their influence. Minneapolis Council vice president Aisha Chughtai expressed her disapproval, stating that it is "gross" to see Governor Walz cave to multibillion-dollar corporations. In 2023, Uber and Lyft collectively spent $220,000 on lobbying in Minnesota, as reported by state lobbying records. This demonstrates the extent to which they were invested in the outcome of the legislation. This agreement in Minnesota comes at a time when the gig worker fight is also unfolding in California. The California Supreme Court is set to hear arguments on the constitutionality of Proposition 22, a 2020 law that classified drivers as independent contractors rather than employees. The outcomes of both legal processes will have significant implications for how ride-hail companies operate nationwide. They will determine the pay and protections drivers can expect and whether rider fares will increase.." max_tokens="150" temperature="0.7"].31 per minute. While some concerns have been raised about increased costs for riders, the law also offers important protections for drivers, such as vehicle insurance and compensation for on-the-job injuries. Read more about the ongoing debate over gig economy worker wages and the potential implications for ride-hail companies nationwide.

Discover the importance of AI safety and how global leaders are prioritizing it. Learn about the international network dedicated to advancing AI safety science and the recent AI Safety Summit in Seoul. Explore the UK's role in AI safety and its partnership with the US. Find out about the world's first AI Safety Commitments made by leading AI companies. Prioritize a human-centric and responsible approach to AI for a positive impact on society.

Discover how the U.K. solidifies its position as a global leader in the autonomous vehicle industry with the official approval of the Automated Vehicles (AV) Act. This landmark legislation paves the way for fully self-driving vehicles to hit British roads within the next two years, enhancing safety and boosting the economy. Learn about the liability framework and ongoing obligations for autonomous vehicle companies operating under these regulations. Find out how recent investments, like Wayve's billion funding, highlight the U.K.'s commitment to innovation in autonomous driving. Don't miss out on the significant advancements in autonomous vehicle technology in the U.K.!

Discover the scrutiny faced by Big Tech's "quasi-mergers" as regulatory bodies investigate their tactics. Learn about the CMA's investigation into AI investments, including Microsoft's partnership with Mistral AI. Find out why Microsoft's investment passed the scrutiny test and what it means for the AI ecosystem. Stay updated on the remaining cases and ongoing investigations, as competition authorities closely monitor the AI sector. Read more for insights into the future outcomes of these investigations.

Meta Description: Learn about the European Union's monitoring of disinformation campaigns on social media platform X, including Elon Musk's amplification of disinformation. Explore the potential consequences for X under the EU's Digital Services Act and the introduction of Musk's AI chatbot, Grok. Discover the scrutiny Grok is facing and X's response to the challenges of disinformation and AI chatbots in the EU.

Looking for information on the coordinated complaints against Temu, an ultra low-cost e-commerce platform? Consumer protection groups in the EU are demanding that Temu be designated as a VLOP under the DSA, citing violations of regulations and concerns about consumer safety. Find out more about the allegations and ongoing investigations in this article.

Discover the Senate working group's policy recommendations for federal funding for AI, including a proposed billion annual budget. Learn about the key areas of investment, such as infrastructure and national security risk assessments, and the bipartisan effort led by Chuck Schumer. Explore the importance of funding American AI hardware and software work, organizing AI grand challenges, and modernizing the federal government. Understand the focus on defense, child safety, healthcare, transparency, and more. While concrete action may take time, these recommendations are crucial for the U.S.'s AI advancement and national security.

Discover how AWS is making progress with its plans for a European "sovereign cloud" to address data residency concerns. The first AWS sovereign cloud region will be located in Brandenburg, Germany, and will be operational by the end of 2025. Learn how this initiative aims to provide localized data storage and processing capabilities while offering stringent data controls to ensure data protection and compliance. Explore the significance of this development in the cloud computing industry and its potential to reshape the landscape of cloud computing in Europe.

Discover the latest developments in union organizing efforts at U.S. Apple stores, including the first formally recognized union and an authorized strike vote. Learn about the issues being negotiated with Apple and the company's response. Explore the failed unionization vote at another Apple store and the ongoing legal challenges against Apple for violating labor laws. Gain insights into the implications for the broader tech industry and the potential for improved working conditions and worker rights.

Learn from Dar'shun Kendrick's experiences as a woman in the tech industry and her insights into the field of artificial intelligence (AI). Discover how she navigates male-dominated spaces, addresses pressing issues, and promotes responsible AI building. Gain valuable guidance for women entering the AI field and understand the importance of finding a balance between innovation and individual rights.