Mass mailers are questioning the legality of a proposed rate increase pending before the Postal Regulatory Commission. Increases on rates for dominant products such as first-class mail, media mail service, periodicals and other non-package delivery are normally reviewed by presidential appointees of the Postal Board of Governors prior to submission to the PRC. However, there are currently no appointed governors left in office. Postmaster General Megan Brennan and Deputy Postmaster Ronald Stroman form a Temporary Emergency Committee that carries out the business normally done by appointed governors. Mailers are questioning whether this emergency committee has authority to approve rate increases.
The last of the appointed governors, James Bilbray, completed his term in December of 2016. “Prior to his departure, Governor Bilbray took certain proactive steps to protect the Postal Service, including giving us authorization to implement a regular annual price increase in January of 2018.” said a US Postal Service Spokesperson.