Florida lawmakers are considering transferring oversight of the Public Transportation Commission (PTC) to Hillsborough County agencies.
The committee is facing criticism over sting operations targeting Uber and Lyft drivers who didn’t meet the additional regulations required by the PTC, including fingerprinted background checks and commercial insurance, according to The Tampa Bay Times.
Tax Collector Doug Belden says that his office wants to take over some of the responsibilities of the commission if the Legislature dissolves it. The Tax Collector's office already grants permits, registers vehicles and conducts driver background checks.
"We do it better, faster and cheaper than any agency could possibly do it,” Belden said.
The PTC also regulates the taxicab and ride-sharing industries such as Uber and Lyft. Belden says he is willing to share these additional PTC responsibilities with other county agencies to save taxpayer money.
"We put great due diligence and detail into what we do,” he said. “We don't need to make money: All we need to do is break even to reduce taxpayer costs of what they're paying the PTC, and we believe we can achieve that.”
