Save Austin's Mobile Vendors
Love Franklin's? Hey Cupcake? Torchy's? F.N. Goode? Let's help save them. On May 5th, Austin City Council subcommittee on Health and Human Services is going to vote on proposals brought forth by Mr. Tom Ramsey of Snappy Snacks and Mr. Steve Simmons of Amy's Ice Cream. These proposals will severely limit the effectiveness of local mobile food vendors and will most likely price many of them out of profitably, and eventually, business entirely. Some of their proposals would require local entrepreneurs to outsource otherwise simple, clean and safe tasks, to regulate parking, limit their hours of operation, regulate bathroom locations, and even submit travel itineraries. All fees associated with any noncompliance would be tripled from their current rate. All of this, mind you, when less than 1% of this city's food borne illnesses can be attributed to trailer eateries. In this entrepreneurial city, enacting proposals that are nothing more than thinly veiled attempts to curb competition through excessive fees, heavy handed regulation, and a "can't be trusted" mentality is stifling to our spirit and our economy. What problem are they trying to solve? Let us have a free market, let competition and quality, not unnecessary ordinances and fees determine their success.
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