Click HERE for a pdf of supplemental information and HERE to view recording from the May Brews & Views presentation by Patrick L. Rose, a Legal Fellow at Michigan State University’s Center for Local Government Finance & Policy, about the USPS, background and what must be done.  He discussed the battle in Congress on preserving essential Postal Service operations to insure fair Elections, a valid Census count, and to restore public health and economic activity.

 

The United States Postal Service (USPS) is facing revenue losses of $22 billion due to a sharp decline in mail volume from the Covid-19 pandemic. To avoid bankruptcy, the USPS needs $25 billion in loans and $25 billion in stimulus funds to cover a $54 billion shortfall. Congress refused to give the Post Office stimulus funds, while giving more than $4.2 trillion in loans and direct funds to corporations and businesses.

 

The USPS employs 600,000 Postal Workers to deliver mail and packages to 160 million addresses in America six days a week. We use USPS to send in absentee ballots and Census forms. Postal Workers deliver Covid-19 test kits and essential supplies. 90% of Veterans rely on USPS to get medications. Over 40% of Americans use USPS to pay monthly bills. FedEx, UPS and Amazon rely on the USPS for “last mile” delivery.

 

The USPS has not relied on any major taxpayer subsidies until the pandemic. If Congress does not fund USPS, it may not be able to operate past September. Treasury Secretary Mnuchin said President Trump will veto stimulus bills for the USPS unless it raises rates and cuts costs.

 

 

 

 For 26 years, Mr. Rose represented municipalities, businesses and individuals in numerous appeals in the Michigan Supreme Court, the Michigan Court of Appeals, the Sixth Circuit and in the US Supreme Court.