Gov. Scott Walker signed a bill into law this month that regulates rideshare companies, including Uber and Lyft.
The law stipulates certain safety features including the prohibition of hiring sex offenders, people with drunk driving offenses or habitual traffic violations. The company must also electronically transmit the driver’s photo and license plate number to the passenger, according to ABC News affiliate WKOW.
The bill received bipartisan support in the legislature. Walker said of its passage, “[This bill] highlights the importance of providing affordable transportation options for all our citizens while maintaining strict safety measures.”
But parts of the bill have earned Walker some criticism from conservatives. Their complaint is that the bill would require drivers to pay a licensing fee to the Department of Safety and Professional Services — an added burden for drivers who already have to pay the fees required to get a driver’s license.
Walker, while earning conservative cred on issues like unions, has had a long history of supporting increased regulation.
In 2011, the Walker refused to veto a provision of the state budget that regulated the craft beer industry. The provision forbids craft breweries to sell directly to restaurants and liquor stores, as well as preventing them from selling their beer onsite.
The law was supported heavily by the MillerCoors Company, a beer titan that sells such brand name beer as Blue Moon, Coors Light, and Miller Lite.
The 60 craft breweries impacted by the regulation make up just 5 percent of the beer market in Wisconsin.
At the time that bill was signed, both liberals and conservatives claimed the Governor was supporting crony capitalism.
