Stores throughout Florida have many options when it comes to getting paid, from cash, credit, debit and digital transfers of funds to any combination of those forms of payment or others. In recent years, however, a growing number of businesses are forgoing cash — a trend that’s only accelerated during the pandemic.
While that arrangement works for people with the benefit of having numerous payment options, it excludes some of Florida’s less well-to-do residents, said Democratic state Rep. Matt Willhite of Wellington.
“A cashless economy is not an inclusive economy,” he said. “Getting a credit or debit card often requires money to deposit or financial history. Excluding people from paying with cash essentially blocks low-income people, homeless people and so many others from participating in the economy in the first place.”
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While that arrangement works for people with the benefit of having numerous payment options, it excludes some of Florida’s less well-to-do residents, said Democratic state Rep. Matt Willhite of Wellington.
“A cashless economy is not an inclusive economy,” he said. “Getting a credit or debit card often requires money to deposit or financial history. Excluding people from paying with cash essentially blocks low-income people, homeless people and so many others from participating in the economy in the first place.”
Read more