More Mailers Add Their Voices to Rate-Case Debate
Most mailers are pretty sure that the USPS Board of Governors will make its R97-1 rate-case decision on June 29, with a public announcement expected June 30. According to spokesman Roy Betts, the board has received 208 letters from mailers requesting that it delay the new rates until January.Separately, Rep. Tom Latham (R-IA) is circulating a resolution to the 435 U.S. representatives and 100 U.S. senators to express "the sense of the House of Representatives that the Postal Board of Governors should reject the recommended postage rate increases when they meet later this month."
The letter, which most industry insiders regard as a publicity stunt, says, "We need to send the U.S. Postal Service a message that it should not arbitrarily impose what amounts to a tax increase on the American people. Even though a 1-penny increase for First-Class letters may seem trivial to some, it adds up to about $1 billion a year, which will affect all Americans, especially those living on fixed incomes."
Latham, a member of the House Appropriations Committee and the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State and the Judiciary, said 50 co-sponsors have signed on and that he is hoping more will join.
