Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Brand calls for regulation of sharing economy
David Website Replacement
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 8 years ago on
February 23, 2017

Share

In the same speech touting a business friendly Fresno, Mayor Lee Brand wants to regulate the “sharing economy” like Uber, Lyft and Airbnb during a speech to real estate professionals at Fresno State.

“Uber, Lyft, there are hundreds of these types of economic sharing companies out there. We’re going to start getting involved, do minimal regulations, leave it open for competition. The City of Fresno will start getting its share,” Brand said during an hour-long speech and question and answer session at the Gazarian Real Estate Center Speaker Series.

Brand told a story about traveling to the Mayor’s Conference last month in Washington. He was shown a map of where Airbnb is operating in Fresno.  “You didn’t contact me. You’re competing with hotels and not paying hotel taxes,” he said. Brand declined to elaborate when pressed for more details.

“I disagree with Mayor Brand. Regulations and taxes are already too onerous on businesses. We need to cut them, not create more regulations and taxes, especially, if we want to create jobs,” councilman Garry Bredefeld told GV Wire.

Taking a familiar tone from speeches delivered before and after he became mayor, Brand talked about the strengthening Fresno economy, going into detail about bond ratings and paying off internal loans.

He also spoke about expanding public works projects with High-Speed Rail and the $70 million in state Cap & Trade funds. He expects that project will lead to 10,000 jobs. While the exact details of where the money will go towards is not yet determined, Brand said he would likely go to High-Speed Rail projects in and around downtown. Brand also called for more educated labor to help fill those jobs.

Brand also touched on developing stronger relationships with other governmental agencies like the county and local school districts. He also hit a familiar refrain of balancing between a liberal state government and conservative federal government.

The mayor also plans for a trip to Seattle to entice Amazon to bring jobs to Fresno. He estimated anywhere from 4,000-10,000 jobs could come to the city. He also mentioned the play the city is making for cosmetics maker Ulta .

E-mail David Taub

DON'T MISS

Average Rate on a 30-Year Mortgage in the US Rises to Highest Level Since July

DON'T MISS

Cutting in Line? American Airlines’ New Boarding Tech Might Stop You at Now Over 100 Airports

DON'T MISS

MLB Will Test Robot Umpires at 13 Spring Training Ballparks Hosting 19 Teams

DON'T MISS

Death Toll in Gaza From Israel-Hamas War Passes 44,000, Palestinian Officials Say

DON'T MISS

Jussie Smollett’s Conviction in 2019 Attack on Himself Is Overturned

DON'T MISS

Fresno Council Lowers Speed Limits on Friant and Audubon

DON'T MISS

How About an Honest Conversation About the Range of Light Monument Proposal?

DON'T MISS

UConn Coach Geno Auriemma Breaks NCAA Wins Record With 1,217th Victory

DON'T MISS

Fresno Doctors Will Pay $2.4 Million to Settle Kickback Allegations, DOJ Says

DON'T MISS

Warriors Guard De’Anthony Melton to Undergo Season-Ending Knee Surgery

UP NEXT

Fresno Doctors Will Pay $2.4 Million to Settle Kickback Allegations, DOJ Says

UP NEXT

These Fresno Schools Are Unsafe and in Bad Condition. And No One Is Complaining

UP NEXT

Bulldogs Stack Double-Doubles Like Burgers on a Plate to Beat Prairie View

UP NEXT

Fresno County Men Arrested in Armed Robbery Near Sanger High, Sanger Academy

UP NEXT

Suspect Arrested After Oakhurst Crime Spree Leaves K9 Injured

UP NEXT

With or Without Lockridge, Can Bulldogs Get Out of Their Own Way to Become Bowl Eligible?

UP NEXT

This Kitty Seeks a Quiet Home to Call Her Own

UP NEXT

Shoppers Flock to Clovis for Vallarta’s Grand Opening

UP NEXT

Madera County Shooting Strikes K-9, Investigation Ongoing

UP NEXT

Wired Wednesday: How Fresno is Preparing For Trump’s Mass Deportation Plan

David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

Death Toll in Gaza From Israel-Hamas War Passes 44,000, Palestinian Officials Say

56 minutes ago

Jussie Smollett’s Conviction in 2019 Attack on Himself Is Overturned

1 hour ago

Fresno Council Lowers Speed Limits on Friant and Audubon

1 hour ago

How About an Honest Conversation About the Range of Light Monument Proposal?

2 hours ago

UConn Coach Geno Auriemma Breaks NCAA Wins Record With 1,217th Victory

3 hours ago

Fresno Doctors Will Pay $2.4 Million to Settle Kickback Allegations, DOJ Says

3 hours ago

Warriors Guard De’Anthony Melton to Undergo Season-Ending Knee Surgery

3 hours ago

Massive Ground Beef Recall Affects Restaurants Nationwide, USDA Warns

3 hours ago

Chris Stapleton Wins 4 CMA Awards, but Morgan Wallen Is Entertainer of the Year

3 hours ago

These Fresno Schools Are Unsafe and in Bad Condition. And No One Is Complaining

3 hours ago

Average Rate on a 30-Year Mortgage in the US Rises to Highest Level Since July

The average rate on a 30-year mortgage in the U.S. edged closer to 7% this week, climbing to its highest level since July. The rate rose to ...

3 minutes ago

3 minutes ago

Average Rate on a 30-Year Mortgage in the US Rises to Highest Level Since July

8 minutes ago

Cutting in Line? American Airlines’ New Boarding Tech Might Stop You at Now Over 100 Airports

28 minutes ago

MLB Will Test Robot Umpires at 13 Spring Training Ballparks Hosting 19 Teams

56 minutes ago

Death Toll in Gaza From Israel-Hamas War Passes 44,000, Palestinian Officials Say

1 hour ago

Jussie Smollett’s Conviction in 2019 Attack on Himself Is Overturned

Fresno motorcycle cop enforces the 45 mph speed limit
1 hour ago

Fresno Council Lowers Speed Limits on Friant and Audubon

2 hours ago

How About an Honest Conversation About the Range of Light Monument Proposal?

3 hours ago

UConn Coach Geno Auriemma Breaks NCAA Wins Record With 1,217th Victory

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend