(Long Island, NY) The Long Island Association (LIA), the leading business organization on Long Island, announced today that it has joined the “NY Needs Uber” coalition. The coalition consists of New Yorkers who support ridesharing and want a regulatory framework passed so that services like Uber can operate across the Empire State.
“The Long Island Association is happy to join the NY Needs Uber coalition,” said Kevin Law, Long Island Association President and CEO. “Our organization supports regulated ridesharing across New York State and on Long Island where services like Uber has the potential to offer residents a reliable and affordable transportation option around their communities and to the LIRR, increase customer traffic to local businesses, and even reduce drunk driving.”
LIA signed on to the following Mission Statement:
“We are a coalition of New Yorkers who want to see Albany leaders embrace new technology that will build on the Empire State’s economic revitalization. We support ridesharing services like Uber which has the potential to create 13,000 jobs in one year and make our communities safer by reducing drunk driving incidents.”
Founded in 1926, the mission of the LIA is to support economic development on Long Island. Recently, Uber unveiled a Statewide Economic Impact report which projects that 13,000 jobs would be created in just one year of operating across New York State.
A diverse group of state and community leaders, including Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), Rep. Chris Collins, Mayors from across the State, business groups, clergy members and the New York State Restaurant Association, have joined the coalition.
Currently, Uber only operates in NYC where it is regulated by the NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission. Uber would like regulations to pass on the State level so that riders and drivers can use the Uber app in all areas of New York State.
Full list of coalition members:
Disability Community
- Tony Coelho, former Congressman and co-author of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) –
- Mike May, CEO, Sendero Group, Developers of Accessible GPS; Technology advisor to Uber
- Community Options Inc.
- Open Doors Organization
- My Blind Spot, Albert J. Rizzi, M.Ed., Founder and CEO
- Macula Vision Research Foundation
- Resource Center for Independent Living
- Tony Colon, Chairperson of the City of Utica’s Access & Inclusion Committee
Clergy Members
- McKinley B. Johnson, Greater St. John’s Church of God and Christ, President of the African-American Clergy United for Empowerment, Albany
- Dr. Victor Collier, Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, Saratoga Springs & Vice President for Programs of the Albany African American Clergy United for Empowerment, Albany
- Ronald Howard, Blessed Hope Worship Center & Treasurer of the Albany African American Clergy United for Empowerment, Albany
- Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson, Grace Baptist Church, Mt. Vernon, Chair of CNBC, Conference of National Black Clergy, Westchester
- Marlowe V.N. Washington, The Historic Parcells Church, Rochester
- Maurice Drown, Pathways to the Future & First Israel AME, Albany
- Jim Haid, Executive Director, Rescue Mission of Utica
- Leonard D. Comithier, Jr., Macedonia Baptist Church, Albany
- Minister Anthony Muhammed, Muhammad Mosque, Albany
- Dr. Johnny M. Harris, Jr., Provision Full Gospel Church, Rochester
- Lateef D. Johnson-Kinsey, Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, Syracuse
- William Gillison, Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Buffalo
- Dwayne Gillison, Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Buffalo
- Minister Kirsten John Foy, National Action Network Northeast Regional Director
- Kinzer M. Pointer, Agape Fellowship Baptist Church, Buffalo
- Jeffrey C. Chambless, Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church, Buffalo
- Frank Bostic, Pilgrim Baptist Church, Buffalo
- Timothy J. Brown, Sr., Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Niagara Falls
- Gentre Garman, Nazareth Missionary Baptist Church, Buffalo
- Johnnie Greene, Mt. Neboh Baptist Church, Harlem
- Jacque Andres DeGraff, Canaan Baptist Church, Harlem
- Steffie Bartley, New Hope Baptist Church, Elizabeth, NY/NJ NAN
- Walt Dixie, Executive Director, The Alliance Network, Syracuse
- Nebraski Carter, Living Waters C.O.G.I.C., Syracuse
- Dr. Jonathan Stephens, Fountain of Life C.O.G.I.C., Syracuse
- James Pertillar, Church House of Levites, Syracuse
- Bishop Ronald B. Dewberry, New Life Temple of Praise, Syracuse
- Nancy Hampel, Mobility Manager, Way2Go Herkimer/Oneida County, Utica
- Patrick Young, First Baptist Church, East Elmhurst, Queens
- Phil Craig, Greater Springfield Community Church, Jamaica, Queens
- Zvia McCormick, Executive Director, Resource Center for Independent Living, Utica
- Hannah Burgess, CEO, Vision to Plant, Utica
- Tony Colón, Chair of the City of Utica Community Access and Inclusion Committee, Utica
- Dr. Allen P. Weaver, Bethesda Baptist Church of New Rochelle, New Rochelle (MPAC)
- Darren M. Morton, Macedonia Baptist Church, Mt. Vernon (MPAC)
- Peter Wilson, Mt. Zion Christian Baptist Church, Mt. Vernon (MPAC)
- Robert K. Williams, White Rock Baptist Church, Mt. Vernon (MPAC)
- James A. Kilgore, Friendship Baptist Church, Corning (MPAC)
- Jason Drayton, First Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, Buffalo (MPAC)
Business Groups
- Buffalo Niagara Partnership
- Rochester Business Alliance
- CenterState CEO
- Capital Region Chamber of Commerce
- NYS Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America
- NYC Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Mayors
- Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown
- Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren
- Binghamton Mayor Richard David
- Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner
- Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan
Founding Members
- Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)
- Congressman Chris Collins
- Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson, Senior Pastor Grace Baptist Church, Mt. Vernon.
- New York State Restaurant Association
- The Business Council of New York State President & CEO Heather C. Briccetti, Esq.
- Vic Christopher, Vice President, Board of Directors, Downtown Troy Business Improvement District
- Dr. Victor Collier, Pastor of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church & Vice President for Programs of the Albany African American Clergy United for Empowerment
- Walt Dixie, The Alliance Network, Syracuse
- Lorraine Bracco, actress, New Yorker
- Stephen M. Kraz, President, Local 786, Bethlehem Police Supervisors’ Association
- The Student Association at Syracuse University
