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 low-

income 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-too-

often 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 Nelson Linder

Austin Area Urban League 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