Ride-sharing firms Uber and Lyft have threatened to leave Tampa if a county approves proposed fingerprint background checks.Rules being considered by the Hillsborough Co. Public Transportation Commission would require the background checks, mandatory $7 minimum fares and seven minute minimum wait times.”This is very much an extreme proposal pushed by the Public Transportation Commission, that's not rooted in public safety at all,” said Cesar Fernandez, senior public policy manager for Uber Technologies, in response to the plan.Tampa officials and originations have responded by saying any departure of Uber could have economic impacts.The Florida Chamber, tourism groups and local business leaders have said people visiting and moving to Florida expect Uber and Lyft to be available at the tap of a button, and might go elsewhere if it's not, reports ABC Action news.Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn has urged the PTC to vote down the proposed regulations that Uber and Lyft representatives say could push them out of the area.”Competition is a good thing. If you can't compete, you don't deserve to be protected. If you can't compete, you're going to die. That's the nature of the capitalist system,” said Buckhorn. “All we're asking for is the opportunity for these ridesharing companies to compete… If there wasn't a demand for Uber or Lyft, they wouldn't survive either. There clearly is a demand.”In Austin, Texas earlier this year, voters passed a referendum mandating full Level II background checks. Uber and Lyft ceased operations in Austin shortly after the government regulations were passed.

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