Iowa's House of Representatives passed a bill this week that would require schools to accept cash as payment for after-school activities, including sporting events.
As reported by Brian Tabick of ABC affiliate KCRG in Cedar Rapids, many Iowa school districts have stopped accepting cash for events, instead requiring attendees to purchase tickets online or pay with a card at the gate.
The bill, passed Tuesday and moving on through the Iowa Legislature, would require school events to once again accept cash, according to Tabick.
Per Tabick's reporting, KCRG spoke to parents at Prairie High School’s playoff game against North Scott about the proposed change.
Brian Joens of Iowa City said cash should remain a payment option.
“I grew up in a time when cash was king, and everybody just paid with cash wherever you went, and we’re in America, and I think we should still be paying cash if we can pay cash,” Joens said. “I think it should be an option for any store or business in America to take cash.”
Dan Wieland of Cedar Rapids said he supports having more choices.
“I think you should be able to pay cash or credit card, whichever is the easiest way, I think,” Wieland said.
"Prairie High School no longer accepts cash for events. That policy also reflects the stance of the Iowa High School Athletic Association, which regulates events statewide," Tabick reported. "The IHSAA uses a third-party processor called HomeTown Ticketing to handle all payments, and cash is not among the accepted options."
