Meetings with Lawmakers Prove Effective at 2nd Annual AUSPL Hill Day in Washington, D.C.

Lobbyist Update

As we enter the October/November election phase of this year, Members of Congress have returned to their home districts to campaign for reelection. Prior to leaving Capitol Hill, they passed a stopgap spending measure to fund the government until they return after the election. Some additional items were included in the funding measure, although the measure avoids controversial provisions such as addressing the U.S. Postal Service’s plan to close 82 facilities nationwide in 2015.

There remains some possibility of postal reform passing in the lame duck session of Congress, after the elections. However, that is increasingly unlikely . . .

Hurricane Season Is Fast Approaching. Be Prepared.

Tip of the Month

AUSPL members who own post offices in coastal states abutting the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico must not forget that hurricane season is fast approaching. Coverage under the AUSPL Insurance Program may be limited if a storm is “Named” by the National Weather Service (e.g. “Arthur” or “Josephine”). The AUSPL Insurance Program does…

New: USPS Conflict of Interest Certification Form

Tip of the Month

A new, mandatory “Conflict of Interest Certification” form, intended to spot potential conflict of interest, must accompany each lease renewal and/or new lease negotiation, plus at any change of ownership. All landlords must sign the form, effective March 2014. A potential conflict of interest occurs if a landlord is also one of the following: 1.…

A View of AUSPL Hill Day 2014

News

By AUSPL Member Maureen Goldsmith The second annual Hill Day in Washington, D.C., was held June 11-12, 2014. Maureen Goldsmith and her daughter, Kyra, attended along with dozens of fellow lessors and certain AUSPL board members and staff. Attendees met with Congressional staff to discuss pending postal reform legislation. Maureen shares her experiences below. Thank…

Does Your Lease Have a Termination Clause?

Tip of the Month

Clearly, the most important thing lessors can do to safeguard their postal investment is to read and understand their lease. We cannot emphasize it enough. Every day, AUSPL members call us with questions about their post office building. We always ask them what the lease says about the item in question. For example, CBRE, which…

Mark E. Karolczyk Joins AUSPL as Director of Operations

News

We are excited to welcome Mark Karolczyk as Director of Operations at AUSPL headquarters in Scottsdale, Arizona. Mark, a practicing real estate attorney for more than 30 years, brings a wealth of experience in postal leasing and lease negotiation. “Mark has a long history of successfully dealing with USPS leases, and brings a higher level…

USPS Office of Inspector General: Semiannual Report to Congress

News

The Office of  Inspector General is tasked with ensuring efficiency, accountability, and integrity in the U.S. Postal Service. It’s mission is to help maintain confidence in the mail and postal system as well as improve the USPS bottom line. The OIG uses audits and investigations to help protect the integrity of the Postal Service. Read…

What’s the Difference between Housekeeping and Maintenance?

Tip of the Month

It’s important to read and understand the maintenance rider in your lease. Lessors sometimes find the distinction between “housekeeping” and “maintenance” ambiguous. Here are several items that are considered housekeeping rather than maintenance: 1. Snow removal* 2. Grass cutting 3. Window washing 4. Floor waxing 5. Carpet cleaning The above items are generally USPS responsibility…

Cutting Back Mail Delivery

Postal Reform

H.R. 4670 Secure Delivery for America Act of 2014 The Essentials 1. For three years, Representative Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) has tried to sell his colleagues on a comprehensive postal reform bill. His rescue plan for the money-losing U.S. Postal Service includes ending Saturday letter delivery, closing some post offices, and consolidating the agency’s sprawling distribution…

Second Annual Hill Day: June 11-12, 2014

News

We’re looking forward to our second annual “Hill Day” in Washington, D.C. this month. More than three dozen AUSPL members and several board members will be meeting with Senators and Representatives to discuss the value of the leasing program to the Postal Service.