The Association of Magazine Media issued the following press release:

“A Terrible Substitute for Badly Needed Legislative Reform of the USPS”

New York, NY (September 25, 2013) – Mary G. Berner, President and CEO, MPA – The Association of Magazine Media – issued the following statement after the Postal Board of Governors today announced their decision to file for an exigent postage rate increase of approximately 6%:

“The Board of Governors’ request for an ‘exigent’ rate increase is a terrible substitute for badly needed legislative reform of the U.S. Postal Service. No private company would increase prices when sales are already plummeting. The Board’s request – if approved by the Postal Regulatory Commission – will cause significant declines in mail volume and further job losses across the industry without addressing the USPS’s core issues. The consequences of this decision will be felt by the entire mailing industry, the Postal Service, and consumers.

“We are deeply disappointed that, despite the facts, the Board of Governors chose to seek a counterproductive rate increase instead of working with the industry to secure meaningful, long-term reforms through Congressional action. MPA, on behalf of the magazine industry, will aggressively oppose the proposed rate increase through all channels, including litigation at the PRC.”