Cash-strapped USPS considers emergency rate hike

[Forever_frost]

http://www.myfoxdc.com/story/23526308/cash-strapped-usps-considers-emergency-rate-hike

osted: Sep 25, 2013 10:14 AM CDT
Updated: Sep 25, 2013 10:14 AM CDT
By Associated Press
WASHINGTON -
The financially struggling Postal Service is concluding a two-day meeting to consider whether to ask for an emergency increase in postal rates.

Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe has said the agency expects to lose $6 billion this year and that a special rate hike may be needed. It currently costs 46 cents to mail a letter.

Under federal law, the post office cannot raise prices more than inflation unless it cites exceptional circumstances and gets approval from the independent Postal Regulatory Commission.

Media and marketing businesses warn that a big increase in postal rates could hurt their business and drive down postal volume and revenues.

The Postal Service has said it is running out of cash. Congress is considering cost-saving measures that include ending most Saturday and door-to-door deliveries.

[The King]

"Congress is considering...." means that no long-term solution (other than privization) will be achieved. I would agree with raising the rates now.

[Sean88gt]

So yet another reason not to use the USPS? They should tax emails!

[Forever_frost]

So yet another reason not to use the USPS? They should tax emails!

I think dems tried pushing that last year

[Sean88gt]

I think dems tried pushing that last year

...Since about 92.

[YALE]

"Fuck your forever stamps." - USPS

[aggie97]

shipping rates at UPS and FedEx change all the time...look at the fuel surcharge. The difference is they can do this at any moment. USPS has the have approval to change anything so they can be profitable. Get rid of the PRC and congressional approval and the "business" could be successful.

I just hope my contract stays in place for a couple more years!

[Vertnut]

They should just double the rates on all the damn junk mail.

[LANTIRN]

...Since about 92.

Just wait until they get it rammed through one day; I bet good money they will tax what is sent AND received. Just think of how much they will make us pay for all the spam we get.

[idrivea4banger]

They should just double the rates on all the damn junk mail.

It wouldn't matter. Most of that is mailed at presort standard rates and even then there are ways to get discounts to make it cheaper to mail. Same thing applies to non profit mailings. 1st class mail is the only way sending mail gets expensive. It gets to its destination quicker but at a higher price.

[UserX]

Someone remind me why we need the USPS anymore?

[UserX]

Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds. But park a car in front of your mailbox and you can go fuck yourself.

[otrtruckpro]

If they didn't have to pay Congress 5.5 Billion every year for "Future retiree health benefits" has ordered by Congress in 2006 that no other government agency or business is required to make. "Absolutely, we would be profitable right now,"

http://www.nbcnews.com/business/postal-service-misses-another-5-billion-payment-blames-congress-6209830

[ELVIS]

Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds. But park a car in front of your mailbox and you can go fuck yourself.

that is hilarious!

god bless.

[Strychnine]

Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds. But park a car in front of your mailbox and you can go fuck yourself.

Lmao