Jersey Town Voting on Taxicab Limit

A debate with anti-immigrant overtones over a measure to limit the number of taxicabs in Highstown

Several taxi companies headed by Hispanic immigrants are looking forward to the passage of a borough ordinance today that would create new rules for their industry, following months of debate over the law that has had anti-immigrant overtones at times and drawn a rebuke from the police director.

The council will vote tonight on a measure that would limit the number of cab companies licensed in the borough to five, and make other changes designed to ensure passenger safety and discourage unlicensed "gypsy cab" companies. Earlier this year the companies succeeded in convincing council to reject a more restrictive version of the law.