Bi-Partisan Criticism for Plan to Privatize the USPS

  Eric Katz of The Government Executive reports that President Trump’s recent plan to privatize the US Postal Service has met with criticism from both Democrats and Republicans.  Bi-partisan legislation to revitalize the USPS is currently working it’s way through both the House and Senate. Sponsors of those bills have voiced concern about the President’s…

Amazon Announces Last Mile Delivery Program

  CNBC reports that Amazon has unveiled Delivery Service Partners.  This is a last mile delivery service run by entrepreneurs who will deliver Amazon packages in their own delivery networks.  Amazon announced the service on Thursday, June 28.  The vans will be leased from Amazon and will have the Amazon logo. To Read The Entire…

Stakeholders Comment on Progress of Postal Service Task Force

Positive reports are coming from postal stakeholders who have met with the Task Force on the US Postal Service.  Participants are impressed with the Task Force member’s commitment to determining the cause of the US Postal Service’s financial difficulties.   Mike Plunkett, a former USPS Vice President for Pricing and Classification reported that the Task…

Michael Kubayanda Is The Newest PRC Commissioner

June 7, 2018 – Michael Kubayanda of Ohio has been appointment as a Commissioner of the Postal Regulatory Commission.  He will complete the remainder of a six-year term which will expire on November 22, 2020. Mr. Kubayanda’s previous experience with the postal service includes working with the USPS Office of the Inspector General as Director…

AUSPL Leadership Meets with the President’s Task Force on the U.S. Postal System

Members of the President’s Task Force on the United States Postal System met in May 2018 with AUSPL leadership at the U.S. Treasury Department.  They discussed the value of rural post offices.  AUSPL members advised the Task Force on ways these facilities benefit their communities, and additional means of increasing their value.  In addition the group discussed the…

Court Of Appeals Upholds USPS Pricing Methods

On May 22, 2018 the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia upheld the USPS methods for determining pricing of competitive products.   The Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2007 requires that competitive products (such as packages) delivered by the USPS not be subsidized by the non-competitive products (such as first class…

Postal Banking Bill Goes To Congress

A Bill to provide basic banking services in every post office is being introduced by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York. The Huffington Post reports that the goal of the bill is to provide banking services for working-class and low-income individuals who cannot afford, or lack access to commercial banking.  Postal banks would provide low…

See Photos of Prototypes for the New Mail Delivery Trucks

Trucks.com, an online magazine has photos of five of the prototype vehicles the the USPS will be testing this year.   Trucks.com has interviewed mail carriers to determine what they want from the new vehicles.  Air-conditioning, improved visibility, a hybrid or electric powertrain option and built-in shelves to organize parcels are some of the top…

The Biggest Problem at the USPS Isn’t Amazon

It’s the lack of presidentially appointed members on the Board of Governors.  During the Obama administration, as terms of the Governors ended, new appointments were blocked.  The Last Governor, Mr. James Bilbray completed his term of office in December of 2016.  Since then no one can perform duties such as establish rates and classes for competitive…