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In an effort to improve its relationships with city governments, Airbnb is assembling a new Mayoral Advisory Board that will include former Houston Mayor Annise Parker. She will join with former mayors Michael Nutter of Philadelphia, Franceso Rutelli of Rome (yes, Italy, not Rome, GA, or Rome, IL) and Stephen Yarwood of Adelaide, Australia, according to the Houston Business Journal. The board will address many issues Airbnb is running into, like three US senators asking the FTC to investigate the operation. The board will also tackle tax issues and quarrel with cities over the industry's effect on housing prices.
Airbnb has run into problems in its own backyard. The company is in the process of suing the city where it's based, San Francisco, over a host of new regulations. [HBJ]
