Packages are Getting Heavier at Post Offices

According to a recent article, packages at post offices around the country are getting bigger and heavier. This presents many challenges for lessors. The most obvious and immediate concern a lessor should have after hearing this news is think about the floor in their building. The vinyl-composite tile flooring was rated for a lighter workload.…

Resolution to Prevent Privatization of the USPS

July 16.  A bi-partisan group of Representatives led by Stephen Lynch of Massachusetts has proposed House Resolution 993.  The Resolution proposes to express “the sense of the House of Representatives that Congress should take all appropriate measures to ensure that the United States Postal Service remains an independent establishment of the Federal Government and is…

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…