ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - Uber and Lyft are making their final push to expand into upstate New York ahead of a key legislative deadline.
Lawmakers plan to vote on a state budget before Saturday, the first day of the new fiscal year.
The two app-based ride-hailing services are hoping legislators include in the budget their proposal to expand into cities like Buffalo, Syracuse, Rochester and Albany. Uber and Lyft are now limited to the New York City area.
As part of the effort, Uber is launching a television advertisement this week and emailing upstate New Yorkers urging them to lobby their lawmakers.
Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the Republican-led state Senate support legislation to allow the expansion.
An alternative proposal in the Democratic Assembly would subject ride-hailing companies to local regulation.
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