Tampa Taxi ‘Cartel’ Tossed as Florida Justices Reject Payout (1)

States can terminate taxi medallion systems without violating federal constitutional property protections, the Florida Supreme Court ruled Thursday in a blow for local transportation workers.

The justices rejected the claims of dozens of Hillsborough County taxi companies who said lawmakers ending their medallion program to make way for ride-share apps was an unlawful government taking without compensation in violation of the Fifth Amendment to the US Constitution and a similar state constitutional provision.

“In the regulatory context, change is the rule,” Chief Judge Carlos G. Muñiz said in the majority opinion. “We find it implausible that the Legislature would rely ...