A few years ago, a last-minute change of plans left us with unexpected time on our hands, and we decided to head to a South Williamsport girls’ soccer team’s district playoff game. Arriving at the match site shortly before game time, I approached the ticket counter, presented a $20 bill, and asked for two senior tickets.
“Sorry,” came the game worker’s reply, “we don’t accept cash; all tickets must be prepaid online.” She went on to ask for my cell phone so she could assist with a ticket purchase.
As an individual who rarely carries a cell phone, I explained that I didn’t have one. Receiving an incredulous look, as if she were talking to someone from the medieval era, she repeated that she could not accept my money for entry. She did, however, politely explain that she would ask the game site manager for assistance. That inquiry was met with a stern ‘we don’t accept cash’ response.
With my ‘unaccepted’ $20 bucks left unwelcome on the counter, a lengthy line of approaching fans formed at the gate behind me while the cashless encounter continued. Suddenly, a man’s voice asked, “What’s the problem, coach?”
Explaining the issue at hand, the man shook his head in disbelief and handed his cell phone to the game worker, telling her to put his tickets on it. Attempting to pay him for his kindness, he refused to accept my money, walking away grumbling about why things are being made so difficult.
So rests my case for Exhibit A.
In the courtroom of public opinion, the State of Pennsylvania recently took a stand for common sense and the currency law of the land with a state law declaring that sporting events, dances, field trips, and choir competitions at public and private schools in the Commonwealth must now accept cash as a means of admission.
The action, sponsored by State Representative Dan Moul of Adams County and supported by local representative Jamie Flick, is on page 33, line 23, of the 140-page education code that’s part of the recently passed, long-overdue State budget. Simply stated: if schools charge admission for events, they must accept cash.
“It’s the most popular bill I’ve ever put forward in the House,” Moul stated. “I’ve gotten calls and emails from all over the Commonwealth from Pennsylvanians thanking me for doing that.”
“Unfortunately, there are a lot of senior citizens who have a tough time, a very difficult time navigating that, so senior citizens were being disenfranchised.”
For those unfamiliar with the issue, several years ago, the PIAA mandated that anyone wishing to purchase tickets for PIAA-sponsored District and State playoff games could only do so via an online Hometown Ticketing, Inc. app. This cashless ticket policy required fans to download the app, punch in credit card information, and transfer electronic tickets to get in the gate.
While purchasing tickets via an online app is an everyday practice convenient at many venues, the PIAA rammed the policy down fans’ throats, denying them the option of paying cash and ignoring Section 31 U.S.C. 5103 code entitled “Legal Tender” which states, “United States coins and currency are legal tender for all debts, public charges, taxes, and dues.” This statute means that all U.S. money as identified above is a valid and legal offer of payment for debts when tendered to a creditor.
The PIAA’s cashless coup de’tat also required online ticket purchasers to pay an additional ‘convenience fee’ on top of the stated ticket price. The ‘convenience’ in question was for the benefit of the PIAA, not the paying customer. For the consumer, it was an inconvenience to navigate the online process in addition to exposing private credit card information to outside sources.
While the new law is applauded across the state, the PIAA is less than thrilled by the action. In disagreement, Executive Director Bob Lombardi stated, “This is a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist. We’ve had a policy since last spring we’ve used, and it’s worked famously. All you have to do is concentrate on running the game and not worrying about having thousands of dollars with some people who are your sellers and takers.”
Moul doesn’t buy that schools can’t protect gate receipts.
“Get a secure lockbox, have your police or working security walk with you to the school, and lock it up. It’s as simple as that.”
Lombardi’s retort, “It’s easy for him to say. He sounds like a grumpy old man.”
From this corner, it sounds as though Lombardi may be describing himself, angry over an unpopular policy that has been rebuked.
In reality, Moul’s action is a bit of the best of both worlds. Those who wish to continue purchasing tickets online have the ability to do so, while those preferring to use cash can do so, avoiding the former PIAA online song and dance.
It’s a simple United States citizen’s right as described by the eleven words printed on your folding currency: “this note is legal tender for all debts, public and private.”
