Thank You Congressman Perlmutter!

U.S. Congressman weighs in for Mile High Cab ...

Makes no matter which side of the aisle people are on, what's right is right. Mile High Cab is thrilled to have the support of U.S. Congressman Ed Perlmutter who has written a letter to the Colorado Public Utilities Commission urging commissioners to reconsider a judge's ruling that blocked the new cab cooperative from competing in the Denver metro market.

Perlmutter, a Democrat for Colorado's 7th Congressional District, joins his Republican opponent, Ryan Frazier, in siding with Mile High Cab. It's become a bipartisan issue that has backing of both parties.

Here's what Perlmutter wrote:

The Honorable Chairman Ron Binz
Chairman
Colorado Public Utility Commission
1560 Broadway, Suite 250
Denver, CO 80202

Dear Chairman Binz:

I write on behalf of Mile High Cab, Inc. and my constituents who would benefit from increased taxi service urging the Public Utilities Commission's (PUC) approval of its application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) for taxi service in the Denver metropolitan region.

The Colorado Revised Statutes establish several important criteria for the approval of a CPCN. These criteria are established to ensure the petition is capable of service the public and maintaining a healthy marketplace of competition. These criteria are critical to measuring the risk consumers face when purchasing necessities like electricity, water and natural gas.

In his July 20, 2010 decision, Administrative Law Judge Paul Gomez denied Mile High Cab's application. Judge Gomez made clear in his determination that the company's business plan, management experience and industry experience were sufficient for the necessary "fitness" test. Further, Judge Gomez stated the company was adequately capitalized to encounter the known and unknown expenses to be anticipated for a new company. So his decision indicates there is noting inherent to Mile High Cab as an independent business which was sufficient for denial.

But Juge Gomez' denial is premised on the notion the approval of the CPCN would com at the detriment of the public interest because plummeting rates as a result of an oversupply in Denver would result in worsening service and deteriorating taxi maintenance. Yet no evidence was presented which demonstrates this scenario could arise in a medium-sized city like Denver with similar transportation needs and population distribution. Based upon this information, I question Judge Gomez' denial.

The PUC is charged to ensure taxi service exists in the region. Therefore, I believe before denying the petition, evidence should first be presented showing an instance in which a city of comparable size, population density and transportation needs as those of Denver resulted in the complete elimination of the market. If it cannot, I believe lower rates to consumers and 160 new jobs are more important.

Sincerely
Ed Perlmutter
Member of Congress

You can tell the PUC to support better service and lower fares for consumers, too. Just write to the Public Utilities Commission Director Doug Dean by clicking here.

Perl Mutter Letter 2