Austin Mayor Steve Adler called a press conference April 25 to quash rumors that the outcome of the May 7 election would affect the city's bid for $50 million in transportation funding. Proposition 1 on the May 7 ballot will allow Austin voters to decide whether certain municipal regulations on ride-hailing companies—such as Uber, Lyft and Get Me—are repealed. The regulations include mandatory fingerprint-based background checks. Adler denied connections the U.S. Chamber of Commerce made last week between the ride-hailing election and Austin's chance at securing $50 million in federal and private grant funding through the Smart City Challenge—a nationwide competition among cities for innovative transportation solutions. Austin was selected as one of seven finalists in the competition in March. "The U.S. Chamber of Commerce suggests that an 'against' vote [on Proposition 1] would demonstrate Austin is not an innovative and forward-looking community, but the exact opposite is true," he said. "There's a reason Austin is No. 1 in Texas in startups and venture capital and patents." Adler said he plans to vote against Proposition 1—thereby supporting the current regulations such as mandatory fingerprint-based background checks—although he said neither ballot choice is best for Austin. "I worked to avoid a costly election because I believe neither choice delivers by itself the outcome Austin needs," he said. "Austin needs safety, it needs [ride-hailing companies], and it needs local control."