Skip to content
Independent and accessible public media is needed more than ever.
Help us continue keeping communities informed and inspired.
Keep public media independent and accessible
Donate Now

View thank you gift options

CapRadio

CapRadio

signal status listen live donate
listen live donate signal status
listen live donate signal status
  • News
    • topics
    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • genres
    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic
    • Daily Playlist
  • Programs + Podcasts
    • news
    • Morning Edition
    • All Things Considered
    • Marketplace
    • Insight With Vicki Gonzalez
    • music
    • Acid Jazz
    • At the Opera
    • Classical Music
    • Connections
    • Excellence in Jazz
    • Hey, Listen!
    • K-ZAP on CapRadio
    • Mick Martin's Blues Party
    • Programs A-Z
    • Podcast Directory
  • Schedules
    • News
    • Music
    • ClassicalStream
    • JazzStream
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Daily Playlist
  • Community
    • Events Calendar
    • CapRadio Garden
    • CapRadio Reads
    • Ticket Giveaways
  • Support
    • Evergreen Gift
    • One-Time Gift
    • Corporate Support
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Gift
    • Legacy Gift
    • Endowment Gift
    • Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • e‑Newsletter
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
  • State Government
  •  

Capitol Roundup: Drug Crime, Ride-Hailing Bills Advance

  •  Ben Adler 
Tuesday, April 5, 2016 | Sacramento, CA
Alan Cordova / Flickr
 

Alan Cordova / Flickr

Ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft would be more tightly regulated under a new proposal in the California Legislature.

It’s the latest battle between the taxicab and ride-hailing industries.

Democratic Senator Ben Hueso’s bill passed its first committee Tuesday.

It would authorize the California Public Utilities Commission to set ride-hailing rates and establish rules for the industry and require driver background checks.

Hueso says he wants to ensure more stable fares for drivers and consumers.

“There’s got to be a way to allow some flexibility in the pricing but to also provide some guarantee to drivers that at least they’re going to make some kind of a profit,” says Hueso. “For example, you go out for dinner and their fare costs you $10. And you want to come home, and then it costs you $60.”

Republican Senator Mike Morrell joined the tech industry and ride-hailing companies in criticizing the measure.

“My biggest concern is the PUC fixing rates and prices and that kind of thing. I don’t think it’s gonna create a level playing field, and it’s gonna perhaps eliminate competition,” Morrell says. “It doesn’t seem like a free marketplace.”

The measure now advances to another Senate committee.

Meanwhile, California lawmakers advanced one bill that would reduce sentences for repeat drug crime offenders – and another that would increase penalties for the sale of one drug in particular.

The Senate Public Safety Committee passed a measure that would eliminate add-on sentences known as “enhancements” for drug felons who are convicted again.

Democrat Loni Hancock chairs the committee. She says enhancements simply incarcerate people for longer terms at great expense.

“These enhancements have been in place for quite a while and our drug epidemic continues,“ she says. “They haven’t worked.”

But Republican Senator Jeff Stone says the bill would give a “get-out-of-jail free card” to drug dealers.

“These are cheap, toxic poisons that are being pedaled on our kids and it’s killing them,” Stone says.

The bill next moves to the full Senate.

At the same hearing, lawmakers voted to expand a drug crime enhancement.

That measure would increase penalties for the sale of fentanyl, a powerful opioid that has led to 10 deaths and dozens of hospitalizations in the Sacramento area in recent weeks.

The bill advances to another Senate committee.


Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  

 Uberride-sharingdrugs

Ben Adler

Director of Programming and Audience Development

Director of Programming and Audience Development Ben Adler first became a public radio listener in the car on his way to preschool — though not necessarily by choice.  Read Full Bio 

Sign up for ReCap and never miss the top stories

Delivered to your inbox every Friday.

 

Check out a sample ReCap newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

Thank you for signing up for the ReCap newsletter! We'll send you an email each Friday with the top stories from CapRadio.

Browse all newsletters

More State Government Stories

AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli

Governor Newsom signs bill to shield patients threatened by abortion bans in other states

June 24, 2022

Kris Hooks / CapRadio

The Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade. Here's what it means for California.

June 24, 2022

Kris Hooks / CapRadio

Hundreds gather in Sacramento to protest Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade

June 24, 2022

Most Viewed

Abortion is still legal in California. Here are answers to questions about access in the state.

California tax relief: What’s in the deal

The Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade. Here's what it means for California.

California’s next cannabis battle may be coming to a city near you

Governor Newsom signs bill to shield patients threatened by abortion bans in other states

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

Abortion is still legal in California. Here are answers to questions about access in the state.

California tax relief: What’s in the deal

The Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade. Here's what it means for California.

California’s next cannabis battle may be coming to a city near you

Governor Newsom signs bill to shield patients threatened by abortion bans in other states

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    • (916) 278-8900
    • Toll-free (877) 480-5900
    • Email Us
    • Submit a News Tip
  • Contact Us

  • About Us

    • Contact Us / Feedback
    • Coverage
    • Directions
    • Careers & Internships
    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Press
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile App
    • On Air Schedules
    • Smart Speakers
    • Playlist
    • Podcasts
    • RSS
  • Connect With Us

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2022, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.