The most recent Ohio biennial budget passed by the General Assembly and signed by the Governor contained a requirement stating that cash was to be accepted as payment for school functions.
The most recent Ohio biennial budget passed by the General Assembly and signed by the Governor contained a requirement stating that cash was to be accepted as payment for school functions. I inserted this requirement in the budget after seeing people turned away who wished to pay cash. This requirement countermanded the decision by the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) which implemented an online-only ticket policy. The purpose of the new requirement was to allow those who found it difficult or impossible to purchase tickets online to still be able to enjoy high school activities. I can personally attest to the success of the program as I have witnessed lines forming at the cash-only windows at local football games.
The pushback from the OHSAA was swift. They begrudgingly started allowing cash for ticket sales but in defiance raised prices for those tickets purchased with cash.
It gets worse.
This week we began the high school football playoffs and OHSAA has increased the punitive measure. If you decide to purchase a ticket using cash at the gate, you will pay anywhere from 30 to 70% more than if you purchased your ticket online. Charging a student $15 to attend their high school’s football game is unacceptable.
The purpose of this cash option was simple: to make a sporting event easy to attend for everyone involved. The OHSAA is more interested in the financial aspect of high school sports instead of the sport itself. For those of you who will have your pockets picked by the OHSAA this playoff season, rest assured that this will not go unchallenged. Bureaucracies that go rogue need to be subject to oversight through legislation.
Senator Sandra O’Brien represents Ohio’s 32nd Senate District, which includes Ashtabula and Trumbull counties and most of Geauga county. To learn more or for a high-resolution photo of Senator O’Brien, go to www.OhioSenate.gov/O’Brien.
