December 14, 2020.
AUSPL leadership and members met today with Rep. Gerald Connolly to discuss the prospects for postal reform legislation in the 117th Congress starting in January of 2021. Rep. Connolly stressed the importance of postal facilities in rural America, their roles as vital community centers, and their unique potential for provision of additional services in rural towns. Current law prescribes the specific services that can be made available at a postal facility. Additions to the statutory menu of services would require enabling legislation.
Rep. Connolly also expressed interest in AUSPL’s suggestions for potential legislative measures that could protect the interests of lessors in lease negotiations. AUSPL committed to work with Rep. Connolly’s office to provide proposals that could increase transparency and efficiency in negotiations. Transparency is a key objective in government contracting and Rep. Connolly said that principle should be no less important in postal leasing than it is in other types of government contracts.
During the next month, Congressional committees will be gearing up for the new legislative session. After the first week in January, AUSPL will resume efforts to influence postal reform legislation in both the House and the Senate.