This letter is in response to the April 1 article, "Bill aims to eliminate credit, debit card fees." I'd like to point out that while this bill could be beneficial to Pennsylvania residents and the credit card industry, it would simply act as a legislation to an act already deemed unauthorized.

When a business wants to accept credit cards, it needs to obtain a merchant account and agree to a merchant contract. Visa and Mastercard, in an attempt to have their cards accepted everywhere and usable in any fashion, make it rather clear in all merchant contracts that tallying fees onto credit card purchases or enforcing a minimum purchase amount for credit cards is not allowed. Every Visa or Mastercard cardholder has the right to use their card for any purchase amount and pay the exact same amount as if cash were being used.

I understand that businesses pay costly transaction fees to accept credit cards. However, they must understand that accepting credit cards is a convenience to them, in the sense that many use these cards.

There are numerous State College businesses that use this tactic. Visa and Mastercard urge customers to contact the number on the back of their card to report such contract breaks. We as State College residents deserve to be able to use our credit cards at our convenience, regardless if this legislative bill is passed.

Michael Gallo

senior-computer science