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Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022

Did Catherine Cortez Masto oversee an effort to temporarily block Uber from operating in Las Vegas?

Esther Tsvayg, The Nevada Independent
no

In 2014, the Nevada Attorney General’s Office under Catherine Cortez Masto took action against Uber at the request of state regulators, resulting in a temporary suspension of operations.

Despite being told by regulators that Uber would need to apply under existing rules for new taxi companies, Uber decided to operate without the appropriate licensing, claiming it wasn't a taxi business so the rules didn't apply to it.

A District Court judge in Washoe County sided with the state, approving a preliminary injunction to prohibit the ride-sharing company from operating in Nevada. Uber services resumed in Nevada once lawmakers authorized a regulatory structure for ride-sharing in 2015.

The Nevada Attorney General's Office represents the Nevada Taxicab Authority and Nevada Transportation Authority. Cortez Masto maintained that her motivation for taking action was to enforce the law and protect passenger safety.

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The Nevada Independent is a nonpartisan, nonprofit news and opinion website founded in 2017 by veteran political journalist and commentator Jon Ralston. The site and its supporting channels are focused on ethical, unbiased and transparent journalism. In general, we aim to gather and disseminate important public information and increase civic engagement. We are supported by corporate donations, memberships, event ticket sales and sponsorships and foundation grants. We disclose all our members and donors. Donors have no influence over our content, ever. The Nevada Independent is the dba for Nevada News Bureau, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded in 2010 by Elizabeth Thompson, who now serves as one of The Nevada Independent's managing directors and its Editor.

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