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> DoorDash argues in its lawsuit, however, that the law is improperly implemented, because it would force companies to pay workers for any time logged into the

> DoorDash argues in its lawsuit, however, that the law is improperly implemented, because it would force companies to pay workers for any time logged into the app, regardless of whether they were delivering or not, and that the DCWP ignored “mountains of hard data and analysis, and over emphatic objections from a range of constituents” in order to implement it. I really wish companies weren't able to sue over this kind of thing. The law is the law. The government should be able to create and update laws without getting mired in endless bureaucracy. If a majority of people don't like the law, they can elect different leaders, who should then be empowered to change the law at a reasonable speed. Some number of restrictions on government power are of course healthy—I value the right to free speech, for example—but for goodness sakes, the government of New York City should be able to set minimum wages within New York City! This just isn't complicated.

elromulous 3y ago
So I happen to agree with NYC in this case. But, being able to legally challenge a law is pretty fundamental to the US. For instance, in the case where this law is unconstitutional, or conflicts with a federal law, this is exactly how one ought to challenge it.
- Wowfunhappy 3y ago
  Right, so I agree those are examples of grounds on which you should be able to challenge a law (unconstitutionality, conflicts with a law of higher jurisdiction). It's important for those to exist, but they should be limited. What I take issue with is quotes like the one in GP. "The law is improperly implemented, because it would force companies to pay workers for any time logged into the app." So what? If the city decides workers should be paid for time spent getting their phones repaired, the companies should have to do that to. I don't know what the legal process here is but there's clearly too much of it. Another choice quote: > For instance, why would the agency choose to purposefully exclude companies that only facilitate grocery deliveries from its study and rulemaking, when those that facilitate both restaurant and grocery deliveries from local businesses would have these rules apply to them? I don't know. Why does it matter? People often complain that government regulations aren't able to keep pace with private industry, but it's because of this BS slowing everything down that they can't keep pace! Let's empower the government to actually make rules and give them responsibility for the consequences. Some of Ezra Klein's recent podcast episodes are weighing on my mind here, particularly https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/06/opinion/ezra-klein-podcast-jennifer-pahlka.html https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/06/opinion/ezra-klein-podcas...
bichiliad 3y ago
I live in NYC, and there are a whole lot of layers to this onion. I'm advocating for safety improvements on a local road that people get hurt and killed on pretty regularly[1]. The DOT has a well-designed change that they've been working on for over two years, complete with community outreach. The change has broad community support, and every single elected official in the area is behind it, from the city council to the state assembly. However, there are a few wealthy people against the change who can file lawsuits, pressure the community board, and donate to the mayor's office. That seems to have been enough to get the mayor to overturn his own DOT's plan[2]. The change itself isn't even a large-scale capital redesign of the street; it's entirely a plan using temporary repainting, movable barriers, and signal changes. It's exhausting living here. Edit: If you live in New York and want to voice your support for the aforementioned road redesign, you can do so at https://www.safemcguinness.com https://www.safemcguinness.com [1]:https://www.thecity.nyc/2023/6/13/23759703/keep-mcguinness-moving-greenpoint-broadway-stages-gina-argento https://www.thecity.nyc/2023/6/13/23759703/keep-mcguinness-m... [2]:https://nyc.streetsblog.org/2023/07/05/mayor-yields-to-opposition-orders-alternatives-to-dot-plan-for-deadly-mcguinness-blvd https://nyc.streetsblog.org/2023/07/05/mayor-yields-to-oppos...

elromulous 3y ago

So I happen to agree with NYC in this case. But, being able to legally challenge a law is pretty fundamental to the US. For instance, in the case where this law is unconstitutional, or conflicts with a federal law, this is exactly how one ought to challenge it.

Wowfunhappy 3y ago
Right, so I agree those are examples of grounds on which you should be able to challenge a law (unconstitutionality, conflicts with a law of higher jurisdiction). It's important for those to exist, but they should be limited. What I take issue with is quotes like the one in GP. "The law is improperly implemented, because it would force companies to pay workers for any time logged into the app." So what? If the city decides workers should be paid for time spent getting their phones repaired, the companies should have to do that to. I don't know what the legal process here is but there's clearly too much of it. Another choice quote: > For instance, why would the agency choose to purposefully exclude companies that only facilitate grocery deliveries from its study and rulemaking, when those that facilitate both restaurant and grocery deliveries from local businesses would have these rules apply to them? I don't know. Why does it matter? People often complain that government regulations aren't able to keep pace with private industry, but it's because of this BS slowing everything down that they can't keep pace! Let's empower the government to actually make rules and give them responsibility for the consequences. Some of Ezra Klein's recent podcast episodes are weighing on my mind here, particularly https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/06/opinion/ezra-klein-podcast-jennifer-pahlka.html https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/06/opinion/ezra-klein-podcas...

bichiliad 3y ago

I live in NYC, and there are a whole lot of layers to this onion. I'm advocating for safety improvements on a local road that people get hurt and killed on pretty regularly[1]. The DOT has a well-designed change that they've been working on for over two years, complete with community outreach. The change has broad community support, and every single elected official in the area is behind it, from the city council to the state assembly. However, there are a few wealthy people against the change who can file lawsuits, pressure the community board, and donate to the mayor's office. That seems to have been enough to get the mayor to overturn his own DOT's plan[2]. The change itself isn't even a large-scale capital redesign of the street; it's entirely a plan using temporary repainting, movable barriers, and signal changes. It's exhausting living here. Edit: If you live in New York and want to voice your support for the aforementioned road redesign, you can do so at https://www.safemcguinness.com https://www.safemcguinness.com [1]:https://www.thecity.nyc/2023/6/13/23759703/keep-mcguinness-moving-greenpoint-broadway-stages-gina-argento https://www.thecity.nyc/2023/6/13/23759703/keep-mcguinness-m... [2]:https://nyc.streetsblog.org/2023/07/05/mayor-yields-to-opposition-orders-alternatives-to-dot-plan-for-deadly-mcguinness-blvd https://nyc.streetsblog.org/2023/07/05/mayor-yields-to-oppos...