BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – There’s an effort underway in Wisconsin to require businesses to accept cash.
“When you start eliminating cash in a society, you start alienating subgroups of people,” said State Rep. Michael Schraa, an Oshkosh Republican who introduced the Payment Choice Act.
A hearing on the bill was held this week.
Businesses would be required to accept cash for transactions below $2,000 or face a fine between $200 and $5,000.
The three Uncle Mike’s Bake Shoppe locations in the Green Bay area will always accept cash, according to owner Mary Vande Walle, but the Appleton location that opened seven weeks ago is cashless.
“At the beginning there were a few people that said this isn’t right, but they’re used to it now.”
Vande Walle says the move was made for security and ease.
“We did go through the theft process; it’s not a fun thing. Counting money is a lot. It takes a lot of time and when you own four stores, your time gets a little thin.”
Not being able to provide cash is more difficult if you don’t have a bank account. According to the Federal Reserve, that is 6% of adults and 17% of people making below $25,000 a year.
“While it’s convenient to just use your card and be done with the transaction in seconds, this mandate can be overly burdensome to pay for necessities,” said Schraa. “It leaves out individuals who are unwilling or unable to use cashless payments.”
Schraa, who has owned Leon’s Frozen Custard for 35 years, has received support for his bill from Democrats and the City of Milwaukee.
“I know for my business, my swipe fees can range anywhere from $40,000 to $60,000 a year for my little business,” said Schraa.
The Packers have been cashless for three years now. They declined to comment on the bill.
Lambeau Field has kiosks where you can put your cash on a card. Schraa says he’d consider an amendment to his bill to provide an exception to businesses that have similar machines.
“I think it’s going to be a long time before we totally eliminate, if it ever happens, using cash,” said Schraa. “This is just one more way, I think, of helping to protect some of our constituents who do not have a bank, do not have a credit card.”
Seven states already prohibit cashless businesses. If Wisconsin joins them, Uncle Mikes says it will make do.
“If it goes through, we would put in a cash drawer,” said Vande Walle.
The bill has not been scheduled for debate and does not have a lead senator.
