Arlington, VA – 09/24/2012 – The following statement is attributable to Michael Petricone, senior vice president, government and regulatory affairs, Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)^®, following his testimony to the Council of the District of Columbia’s Committee on the Environment, Public Works and Transportation:

“As a D.C. resident, I am concerned with the intrusive grab bag of new mandates and requirements contained in the Sedan Class Amendment of 2012. I believe that the result – whether intended or not – would be to regulate Uber out of business in the District of Columbia.
 
“Some years ago, the Council smartly chose to position Washington, D.C., as a technology center. This strategy worked and now the District is home to exciting cutting edge companies like LivingSocial, Synteractive and many more that are providing high-value jobs and spurring economic growth. D.C.’s hard-won reputation for technology leadership will be severely harmed if the Council now decides to regulate an exciting new company out of business.
 
“I urge the Council to make Washington, D.C., a place where entrepreneurs can grow and thrive by refraining from punitive regulations on new technologies.”