State Rep. Kara Hope (D-Holt) and state Sen. Curtis Hertel, Jr. (D-East Lansing) introduced concurrent resolutions in their respective chambers of the Michigan Legislature to urge the U.S. Congress to oppose privatizing the United States Postal Service (USPS).
The USPS provides high quality, affordable services without taxpayer funding, and is a core government function recognized in the U.S. Constitution. The USPS employs more than 500,000 individuals and is the second largest employer of military veterans. Privatizing the United States Postal Service would increase costs and limit service, particularly in rural areas. It would also hurt thousands of postal employees who live in every part of Michigan.
“Proposals to privatize USPS will limit service, raise prices and ultimately hurt Michiganders,” said Hope. “We need to know that our federally elected officials stand with the millions of people who depend on USPS to deliver affordable and reliable service, often when there is no other viable alternative.”
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy was appointed last year by the Postal Service’s board of governors. Earlier this year, he released a 10-year plan for USPS, which includes reduced post office hours, higher postage prices and a ban on the use of airplanes to transport first-class mail. President Biden has the authority to fire governors with cause and to nominate governors to fill vacant positions on the board but does not have the power to remove DeJoy. Only the board of governors has the authority to fire the postmaster general.
“The past year has exemplified why the U.S. Postal Service remains an integral service for Americans,” said Hertel. “Changes to service standards that decrease speed and accessibility will negatively impact Michiganders, especially in rural areas.”