Judge dismisses racial bias lawsuit against Portland over taxi permits at airport
In recent years, the City of Portland sought to downsize its airport taxi pool permits in order to reduce crowding at the terminal. According to the Press Herald, when the city reduced the pool to 45 licenses in July 2013, it grandfathered in the license holders at that time, who were all Somali or Iranian. The license cap was later reduced to 43. However, a South Portland taxi driver filed suit, claiming discrimination.
Sig Schutz represented the immigrant taxi drivers at the Portland International Jetport.
An Excerpt
[Federal judge] Jon D. Levy dismissed the suit, ruling that he agreed with the city that McDonough lacks standing because he admitted under questioning in a court deposition that he probably wouldn’t spend the $800 to apply for a permit even if the city allowed new applicants.