AUSPL Celebrates Third Annual Hill Day in Washington, D.C.
AUSPL took its message to Capitol Hill on March 18, 2015. AUSPL President Morgan Wolaver, AUSPL members, and certain AUSPL board members and staff met with 38 legislators and/or their staff. Eight appointments were with staff or representatives who serve on the Government Operations Subcommittee of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which has jurisdiction over postal reform.
During meetings, attendees reiterated to Congress that (1) rents for leased postal facilities are an insignificant fraction of USPS expenses and the savings to be expected from closing post offices is therefore small, (2) the USPS should be allowed to find new revenue sources to ease its financial burdens, (3) local communities need adequate notice and an opportunity to be heard before post offices are closed, and (4) emergency post office closures should be limited to situations involving serious health or safety risks.
One highlight of Hill Day was the luncheon at the Capitol Hill Club, at which three Congressmen spoke. They were Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC), the new Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Government Operations, Rep. David Jolly (R-FL), a long-time friend of AUSPL, and Rep. Dennis Ross (R-FL), who was previously chairman of the subcommittee overseeing USPS issues and who has been a champion for postal lessors. Each lawmaker reiterated the importance of continuously educating, meeting with, and writing to members of Congress about postal issues affecting lessors.
AUSPL encourages its members to keep in contact with their legislators through written correspondence or by visiting legislative staff at district offices. For more information, please call AUSPL at 800-572-9483. We look forward to talking with you.