Postage Rates Scheduled to Decrease
On February 25, 2016 the US Postal Service filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) of intent to rollback Market Dominant prices. The new rates are expected to go into effect on April 10, 2016.
The USPS in the Obama Administration’s Budget
On February 9, 2016, the President submitted to Congress his Budget for Fiscal Year 2017.
The Appendix under Other Independent Agencies contained the Administration’s approach to resolving financial difficulties at the US Postal Service. The Administration promises to work with the Congress and Postal stakeholders to secure reforms that improve the efficiency of the USPS, update its business model and provide measures for financial relief.
Hazardous/Toxic Conditions Clause of USPS Lease
The General Conditions portion of the US Postal Service lease contains eleven sections. Sections 1, 4, 5, 8, 10 and 11 are federally mandated.
Proposed Postal Reform Bill Addresses Service Standards
In The U. S. House of Representatives on March 1, 2016, Representative Jared Huffman (CA-2) introduced H.R. 4565, also called the “Stop Postal Closures Act of 2016”. The general purpose of this bill is to address and improve declining USPS service standards and reinstate service standards that were in effect on July 1, 2012.
This bill would place a moratorium on closing or consolidating postal processing facilities. The moratorium would not prohibit closing post offices.
Keep the USPS Updated on Ownership of your Post Office Building
On January 29, 2016 The Office of the Inspector General for the USPS published an audit report entitled, “Deceased Lessors.” In the report the OIG states that “The USPS did not always know which facility leases it had with deceased lessors and continued to pay some of them, and did not always maintain accurate lessor information in its facilities management system.”
Rep. Cedric Richmond (LA-2) Introduces “POSTAL Act of 2015”
Representative Cedric Richmond (LA- 2) Introduces “POSTAL Act of 2015”
On February 1, 2016 Rep. Cedric Richmond introduced in the House of Representatives H.R. 4422, the “Providing Opportunities for Savings, Transactions, and Lending Act of 2015.” The Bill would allow the US Postal Service to provide basic financial services including 1) small dollar loans, 2) checking accounts, 3) savings accounts, 4) services relating to international money transfers, and 5) other basic financial services as the Postal Service considers appropriate in the public interest.
David C. Williams Retires
Mr. David C. Williams, Inspector General of the US Postal Service OIG will be retiring on February 19, 2016. Mr. Williams has been the Inspector General since 2003. Deputy Inspector General Tammy Whitcomb will take over as acting IG.
Congress Starts The Year Off With a Bang
By Harry Glenn
Soon after convening in 2016, Congress received a loud a clear message from the U.S. Postal Service and the postal community – postal reform legislation is urgently needed to prevent a further serious deterioration of its financial position.
Moratorium on Closing Small and Rural Post Offices Through September 30, 2016
As reimbursement for the free and reduced rates mandated by Congress, the USPS, through the annual Appropriations Bill, receives money from Congress for “forgone” revenue. The 2016 Omnibus Appropriations Bill will reimburse the USPS for $55,075,000 in forgone revenue in 2016. The section of the bill which calls for the payment to the USPS provides…
An Accurate Legal Description of the Post Office Premises is Necessary
It is important for a USPS lease to include an accurate description of the premises leased to the USPS. If the USPS leases an entire parcel, the legal description of the parcel should be used. If the USPS leases only a portion of a larger legal parcel, then the legal description will need to be…