Uber Takes Turn Toward Old-school Politics

Uber bills itself as a leader in tech innovation, but when it came to fighting mandated insurance for its drivers, the ride-share giant turned to good old-fashioned hardball politics. The target: state Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla, D-Concord, author of an insurance-company-backed bill to require more comprehensive - and more expensive - liability insurance for ride-share drivers. Besides working the Capitol hard, Uber carpet-bombed mailers in Bonilla's district - as well as the state Senate district where she plans to run next year in the likely event state Sen.