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October 13, 2015

Dear Council Member Kitchen,


On behalf of the Austin Area Urban League and Austin Branch of the NAACP, we write to
express our opposition to fingerprint-based background checks for Transportation Network
Company (TNC) drivers.
Since the adoption of Austins TNC ordinance last year, historically underserved minority
communities have been experiencing the great economic benefits that come with TNC
partnerships. TNCs are increasing mobility in traditional transportation deserts and providing
meaningful earning opportunities to many who need it.

In addition to the economic benefits afforded to drivers who are earning good money driving on
their own schedule, TNCs have provided a color blind transportation option as drivers are unable
to see what a rider looks like or where they are going before they accept a trip request. TNCs are
a reliable transportation option for all Austinites, regardless of where they live or what they look
like.
We are particularly concerned with a proposed provision that disproportionately impacts lowincome individuals and minorities in Austin: fingerprint-based background checks. The practice
of using fingerprints to access a background database is not a real safety measure as it all-toooften captures only an individuals arrest, not their conviction. As a result, this practice would
disproportionately harm Austins African-American and Hispanic populations as they are already
disproportionately arrested, but not necessarily charged or convicted of any offense. For
example, according to a USA Today study, African-Americans are arrested at a 3:1 ratio
compared to white residents in Austin, despite representing fewer than 5 percent of the
population. Yet the Texas Department of Public Safety recorded a final judgment for only 80
percent of arrests in 2012, according to the most recent statistics available.

Thus this provision could unfairly and inadvertently disqualify many in our community from
accessing economic opportunities.
Furthermore, we know that the added time and financial cost of requiring drivers to undergo two
background checks will add new and unnecessary barriers to the process, preventing people who
are low-income from driving on rideshare platforms to make extra money. Given that many
people rely on TNCs as a means to make ends meet, were also concerned that imposing
additional costs of finding childcare and forcing people to take off time from their day job in
order to complete the citys duplicative process will only present further challenges for families.
As a result, the people who need this flexible earning opportunity would be hurt the most.
The City of Austins current ordinance on TNCs is creating tremendous benefits in Austin. With
this in mind, we respectfully ask you to reverse the fingerprint-based background check
recommendation. We agree with the Austin Transportation Departments March 2015
recommendation that there is no need to change TNCs background check process. Rather than
jeopardize all the progress thats been made, we urge the City Council to build on the successes
of the past year and embrace the citys current TNC framework thats bringing jobs and
transportation choices to communities that need it.
Sincerely,

Nelson Linder
Teddy McDaniel
Austin Area Urban League

Nelson Linder
Austin Branch NAACP

cc:

Mayor Steve Adler


Councilmember Ora Houston
Councilmember Delia Garza
Councilmember Sabino Renteria
Councilmember Gregorio Casar
Councilmember Don Zimmerman
Councilmember Leslie Pool
Councilmember Ellen Troxclair
Councilmember Kathie Tovo
Councilmember Sheri Gallo

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