David Sweet (Pennsylvania)
David Sweet was a member of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. Sweet assumed office on May 4, 2016. Sweet left office on October 1, 2021.
Sweet was appointed to the commission by Governor Tom Wolf (D) on May 4, 2016.[1][2] Sweet left office at the end of his term on October 1, 2021.[3]
Biography
Sweet began serving in Gov. Wolf's administration in 2015 as a senior advisor for energy and development issues. Previously, Sweet worked in two law firms, focusing on administrative and regulatory matters, legislative advocacy, and public finance. He was also a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1977 to 1988.[2]
Education
- B.A., University of Pennsylvania (1970)
- M.A., University of Chicago (1971)
- J.D., Pennsylvania State University — Dickinson School of Law (1981)[2]
Political career
Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (2016-2021)
Sweet served as a member of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission from May 2016 to October 2021. He was appointed by Gov. Tom Wolf to replace Pamela Witmer, whose term expired on April 1, 2016. Sweet became vice chairman of the commission on December 19, 2018.[2] Sweet left office at the end of his term on October 1, 2021.[3]
Fines levied against ride-sharing companies operating illegally
In April 2016, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission levied an $11.4 million dollar fine against ride-sharing company Uber Technologies Inc.—11 times the amount of the highest fine the commission had ever imposed.
Uber and Lyft, another ride-sharing company, were granted temporary licenses to operate within the state in late 2014 but had begun operations prior to receiving them. The commission's bureau of investigations filed formal complaints against the companies for operating without a license and for ignoring cease-and-desist orders in 2014. Lyft ultimately settled with the commission for $250,000 in July 2015.
In November 2015, two judges for the commission recommended a $49.9 million dollar fine for Uber. After consideration, the commission reduced the fine to $11.4 million in April 2016.[4] Uber released a statement saying it was "shocked that the PUC would compound its past mistakes and send the troubling message that Pennsylvania is unwelcoming to technology and innovation" and that they planned to appeal the decision.[5] Governor Tom Wolf (D) signed a letter to the commission in April 2016 saying that the fine "constitute[d] a civil penalty on innovation, threatening the company’s ability to harness new technologies and create the jobs of tomorrow."[5][4][6]
The commission denied the appeal on September 1, 2016, upholding the $11.4 million dollar fine. "We were faced with an unprecedented number of violations by Uber," said commission Chairman Gladys Brown. "When a regulated entity is given notice that it is violating the law and it ignores those notices, it does so to its own detriment."[5]
Pennsylvania House of Representatives (1977-1988)
Sweet represented Washington County in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives as a Democrat from 1977 to 1988.[1]
See also
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External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, "David W. Sweet," accessed June 26, 2016
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Governor of Pennsylvania, "Governor Wolf Nominates David Sweet to Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission," accessed June 26, 2016
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Mercedes Yanora, "Email communication with Press Secretary Nils Hagen-Frederiksen," April 6, 2021
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Reuters, "Uber hit with record $11.4 million fine in Pennsylvania," April 21, 2016
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Pittsburg Post-Gazette, "PUC affirms $11.4M penalty for Uber while rejecting appeal," September 1, 2016
- ↑ Philly Voice, "Two Pennsylvania judges want to fine Uber $50 million," November 17, 2015
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| Preceded by Pamela Witmer |
Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission 2016-2021 |
Succeeded by NA |
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