A year ago, dozens upon dozens of cab drivers spoke out in support of a proposal by state Senator Ronda Storms that would dismantle the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission (PTC).
The cab drivers shared Storms' disdain for the PTC, the only agency of its kind in the state that regulates cabs, limos, two trucks and other vehicles. But Hillsborough County Commissioners, who would have had to take over regulating those vehicles, said they weren't certain it would save any money, and the legislation died before it went anywhere.
But that meeting brought many cab drivers out together for the first time, and activist Dena Leavengood began hosting meetings earlier this year to find out what the drivers concerns were. For many drivers, that dream is to be their own boss, which they could only do by owning a permit, or medallion, to work for themselves.
If legislation that was approved today by the Hillsborough delegation goes forward, a few Hillsborough County drivers will have that chance sometime next year.
The bill, sponsored by Hillsborough/Pinellas state Senator Jack Latvala would allow the Hillsborough PTC to create a driver ownership program that would for the first time, set aside permits (also known as medallions) for cab drivers to buy and own for themselves.
The discussion happened at the annual Hillsborough legislative delegation meeting, where local lawmakers hear from local officials about legislation they want to move forward in Tallahassee.
One veteran cab driver who has been pushing for this to happen is Vincent Tolbert, who testified in front of the delegation.
This article appears in Sep 22-28, 2011.
