Uber

A new app is giving Minneapolis another option to hail rides in the city after the council passed an ordinance to raise the minimum rate for rideshare drivers.

The clock is ticking on Minnesota Democrats trying to pass bills addressing sports betting, Uber and Lyft, and a lot more. A Republican strategy to slow things down shifted to the Senate Wednesday and time could just run out on some bills soon.

There was no new movement on Tuesday to set a minimum wage for rideshare drivers and keep Uber and Lyft operating in the state.

Lyft has doubled down, now threatening to leave Minnesota entirely after state lawmakers and Minneapolis council members announced a "compromise" bill on wages for ride-hailing app drivers.

Last week, Minneapolis delayed implementing its new minimum wage standards for Uber and Lyft drivers -- an ordinance that has the companies threatening to pull out of the city. This week, state legislators are moving towards a possible compromise.

The Minneapolis City Council unanimously voted to move the ordinance's effective date to July 1 to give more time for new ride-hailing apps to enter the market and work with state legislatures for other possible solutions.

With Uber and Lyft threatening to cease operations in Minneapolis on May 1 over a minimum wage ordinance, the City Council is considering pushing the implementation date back in a meeting on Thursday. 

The Minneapolis City Council's budget committee removed an item from its agenda on Monday to provide funds to help startup ride-hailing apps, as Uber and Lyft threaten to leave the city over a new ordinance.

The wheels are spinning fast for legislators trying to fend off an Uber and Lyft exit from Minneapolis and possibly other parts of the state.