USPS Sets the Record Straight

Does legislation pending in the U.S. Senate designed to reform current postal laws give USPS “unchecked, unprecedented power to charge Americans whatever it wants for its services?”

The answer is no, of course not.

But this assertion was made by the Association of Magazine Media’s CEO, Mary Berner, in an opinion article that appeared in the publication, Roll Call. The underlying sentiment of Berner’s assertion is untrue, according to USPS officials.

Senate Bill S.1486, as amended, “provides reasonable authority and greater flexibility to develop and price products and services,” USPS said in response to Berner’s article. “This is a basic need for an organization that derives all of its income from the sale of postage.”

Also, USPS and the Postal Regulatory Commission are bound by current law to determine “just and reasonable” postage rates. This requirement won’t change under proposed legislation. “It will always be in our interests to preserve the affordability of mail,” USPS said.

Magazine publishers only pay about 27 cents for delivery on average, a fee far lower than the rate at which USPS can recover its costs to deliver their products.

source: USPS News Link