Strangely enough, Washington’s tax might be very good for Lyft and Uber. Transforming ridesharing into a revenue source gives local governments a strong incentive to promote the practice. Efforts to ban or restrict Uber will fall on deaf ears at city council meetings. If the councilors are looking at the big checks those companies are writing to the city treasury. Taxing Uber and Lyft now before self-driving rideshares and flying taxis become common place is a smart move. If the wealthy want to opt out of the common transportation system, make them pay for the privilege.