Jeanette Mott Oxford, state representative for the 59th District, wrote in this week to thank the American and reporter Bill Beene for last week’s story on the Metropolitan Taxicab Commission and problems that taxi drivers are having making a decent living.
“Several taxi drivers brought this issue to me in late 2004, and, at their request, I filed House Bill (HB) 565 soon after being sworn in as state representative in January 2005,” Oxford said.
“HB 565 would eliminate taxi industry representatation from the commission, but would set up a non-voting advisory committee so that input could still be received without so much direct influence. The bill was heard by the Local Government Committee in the spring, and more than a dozen St. Louis cab drivers made the trip down to circle the Capitol building and to attend the hearing. Unfortunately HB 565 was not among bills that the committee passed out for floor debate.”
Oxford said she will be filing this legislation again in 2006 and seeking all state representatives from the St. Louis area to sign on as co-sponsors. “I hope city taxicab drivers will ask their representatives to contact me about signing on as supporters,” Oxford said.