PIA, GCA Urge Action on Postal Legislation

 

US House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) has introduced new legislation to overhaul the US Postal Service.

After the committee heard testimony during “A Path Forward on Postal Reform” hearing, Michael Makin, president and CEO of Printing Industries of America, urged lawmakers to take action and said the PIA supports a modified delivery schedule as part of comprehensive reform. He also asked Congress to maintain and build upon its 2006 efforts in regard to rate modernization. He said changes should make the USPS more efficient and operationally modern.

The Greeting Card Association also issued a statement asking for common sense reform that does not cut essential services, like Saturday delivery, or raise rates. A recent GCA report outlines more than 100 deficit reduction proposals that do not cut critical services or raise prices, including 54 proposals that could be implemented immediately without Congressional legislation or collective bargaining.

A little more than two years ago, Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe began urging lawmakers to come together to help the agency bridge a shortfall that has been estimated to grow to some $20 billion annually in the coming years. Key lawmakers in both the House and Senate, as well as from both parties have continued to talk about postal reform this year, after last-minute negotiations at the end of 2012 fell short. The Senate passed a bipartisan postal bill in April 2012, but the House never brought Issa’s previous bill to the floor.

For more information, visit www.printing.org or www.greetingcard.org.