Iowahawk congratulates mayor, city council on driving Uber out of Austin city limits

Most Americans have probably taken down their “National Reentry Week” decorations by now, but the Obama administration’s all-out effort to rebalance the racial makeup of America’s prison population by commuting the unfairly harsh sentences of non-violent drug offenders and easing their transition into society continues.

President Obama announced in April that his administration’s reentry program included “taking steps to ensure that applicants with a criminal history have a fair shot to compete for a federal job” and “calling on businesses to commit to hiring returning citizens who have earned a second chance.”

It seems that the liberals who run Austin, Texas were torn between their desire to punish successful, innovate businesses and heed the Obama administration’s call to “Ban the Box” that asks job applicants if they have ever been convicted.

It's fair for job seekers, and for companies it's a boon to the bottom line. It's #BanTheBox time in Austin! https://t.co/kq2odXY0uu

— Project Return (@ProjectReturnTN) April 27, 2016

When successful ride-sharing services Uber and Lyft balked at new rules mandating more strict hiring practices, Democrats followed their hearts (as always) and demanded that Austin say “No” to “corporate rule.”

If you want a vision of the future, imagine a Birkenstock stomping on a human face- forever pic.twitter.com/FTUxkwzJzM

— David Burge (@iowahawkblog) May 9, 2016

Besides, Austin already has cab service and plenty of bike lanes.

USA Today reported that Uber and Lyft suspended service in Austin Monday morning in response to the city’s requirement that drivers be fingerprinted, above and beyond the services’ own background checks. So, while drivers who had passed background screenings would be fingerprinted by the city, the federal government and cities like Austin were doing their legal best to keep convicts from having to reveal their criminal history on job applications.

The people have spoken clearly tonight. Uber & Lyft are welcome to stay & I invite them to the table regardless. (1/2)

— Mayor Adler (@MayorAdler) May 8, 2016

Austin is an innovative, creative city. Right now, we're going to need to be at our most innovative & creative. (2/2)

— Mayor Adler (@MayorAdler) May 8, 2016

Twitchy regular Iowahawk raked Austin Mayor Steve Adler over a hot solar panel for helping drive Uber and Lyft out of town.

.@MayorAdler here's creative idea- make employer criminal background check illegal, then 3 weeks later make them mandatory.

— David Burge (@iowahawkblog) May 9, 2016

No, Austin tried that. The city needs to be even more innovative and creative, if that’s even possible.

.@MayorAdler ooh ooh I know, how about a solar power light rail system that goes to everybody's house? Also, more frisbee golf courses

— David Burge (@iowahawkblog) May 9, 2016

.@MayorAdler I've got it – install a network of catapults and nets on top of every Austin building. Take THAT Uber

— David Burge (@iowahawkblog) May 9, 2016

.@MayorAdler watch Uber go obsolete after we install high speed passenger cannons that go straight from AUS to SXSW pic.twitter.com/XuzqdQhs88

— David Burge (@iowahawkblog) May 9, 2016

.@MayorAdler when Uber comes crawling back, make them hire warning flagmen as not to scare the horses pic.twitter.com/HeIhHQ8p6N

— David Burge (@iowahawkblog) May 9, 2016

.@MayorAdler Let's train all the unemployed Uber drivers how to fingerprint people, to help spur Austin's new fingerprinting-based economy

— David Burge (@iowahawkblog) May 9, 2016

Austin City Council celebrates great victory of the citizens against reactionary corporatist forces of Uber pic.twitter.com/4WDb0PCzkl

— David Burge (@iowahawkblog) May 10, 2016

@iowahawkblog @saminsimi Austin city council is motivated by taxi union campaign cash, not public safety

— Elise StefaniKKK, Low IQ Human Scum (@TinPotDickTator) May 10, 2016

.@TinPotDickTator they're mostly motivated by a fundamentalist religious belief in their divine right to regulate all human behavior.

— David Burge (@iowahawkblog) May 10, 2016