Careful reading would show who introduced the word encourage into the conversation, thus saving you the trouble of thinking someone else did it. The good news is, even if the Springfield city council approves this ordinance, you'll still be able to give as much and as often as you wish to each and every panhandler you encounter when visiting that fair city. You'll just have to get out of your car to do it, or park and hail the stranded soul to approach your car. Should that inconvenience trump your quotient for compassion, you could always just throw the money on the ground and continue on your way, confident that your handout will be scooped up and save you the possible littering fine. By the way, those of us who don't live in Springfield really don't have any business telling those who do how to conduct theirs.