City Council Makes Way for Ride-hailing Companies in Birmingham
The Birmingham City Council voted today on revisions to the city’s transportation code which would allow ride-hailing companies such as Uber and Lyft to operate in the city. The council voted 7 to 1 in favor of the changes. Councilwoman Valerie Abbott voted against them. Councilwoman Kim Rafferty abstained.
An amendment was added which requires the city to evaluate ride-hailing companies after six months. The vote comes more than a year after the council and Uber began negotiations.
Talks that started in summer 2014 broke down over issues of permits, insurance and background checks for drivers. A new round of negotiations reached an agreement in November but the council twice delayed voting on the measure. The first time was because the council canceled a meeting for lack of a quorum and then at a subsequent meeting the ordinance did not win enough support from council members to put it on the agenda.
The Birmingham Business Journal reports Uber could begin expanding into the city in the next few weeks.
Mountain Brook is the first Birmingham area municipality to allow ride-hailing companies to operate. The city council there approved an ordinance just before the Thanksgiving holiday. Homewood passed a similar measure Monday.
After Texas ruling, Trump and Republicans head to 2026 with a redistricting edge
Trump has prompted a redistricting race as he tries to maintain Republican control of the House in the 2026 elections. Democrats have fewer options to counter, as the battle heads into next year.
How China, not the U.S., became the main climate solution story in 2025
The U.S. has become a "side character" in the global story of renewable energy, experts say. China dominates the sector, with positive implications for the climate and their economy.
Supreme Court to hear case that could vastly expand presidential powers
The Supreme Court hears arguments in a case about President Trump's firing of a Federal Trade Commissioner. At stake is a 90-year precedent limiting the president's power over independent agencies.
Republicans push high deductible plans and health savings accounts
A Republican call to give Americans cash instead of health insurance subsidies revives an old idea that has left millions with medical debt.
Zelenskyy heads to London for more Ukraine peace talks. Here’s what to know
The talks signal fresh support from European allies. But they follow stalled U.S. negotiations in Miami and comments from President Trump's son suggesting Washington is ready to pull back.
Tributes, not politics, play center stage as Trump hosts the Kennedy Center Honors
President Trump said he was closely involved with picking the honorees, and on Sunday he became the first president to host the Kennedy Center awards ceremony.
