Schor, Capitol Caucus Introduce Resolution Calling on Congress to Prevent Closure of Area Postal Facility

LANSING – State Representative Andy Schor (D-Lansing) was joined by state Reps. Tom Cochran (D-Mason), Theresa Abed (D-Grand Ledge), Tom Leonard (R-Dewitt) and Sam Singh (D-East Lansing) in introducing House Resolution 22, which calls on Congress to intervene to prevent the closure of the U.S. Postal Service’s (USPS) Processing and Distribution Center in Lansing. Members of the Legislative Capitol Caucus signed on to the resolution in an effort to prevent a consolidation effort that would have a detrimental impact on the entire mid-Michigan region.

“The Capitol Caucus and I continue to have concerns about the consolidation of Lansing’s Processing and Distribution Center,” Schor noted. “Our resolution asks Congress to intervene to prevent the closure of that facility -at least until postal reform legislation is taken up at the federal level,” he added. “Rushing to consolidate and close this facility, which handles 3 to 5 million pieces of mail a day, could result in unnecessary mail delays for all of mid-Michigan’s residents and businesses, which will have a negative impact on our local economy. What’s worse, there are at least 200 jobs at stake should the center close. This move by the USPS simply isn’t in the best interest of mid-Michigan.”

Cochran, whose district the Lansing Processing and Distribution Center lies in, echoed Schor’s concerns. “Lansing’s Process and Distribution Center is an integral part of the local economy,” said Cochran. Not only is the center an important job provider, it enables entrepreneurs across Ingham County to ship to customers and other businesses. This is not about politics. Reliable, accessible postal service is important for the region’s families and businesses.”

A number of local, state and federal officials have questioned the USPS’ ambiguous strategy to close numerous facilities across the country before impending postal reform legislation is taken up at the federal level. Many have called on the USPS to reconsider its overall closure strategy once Congress has the chance to enact broader postal reforms expected to be taken up in the coming months.

Representative Schor worked closely with the Legislative Capitol Caucus, which he chairs, to gather support for his resolution. The Capitol Caucus is a bipartisan, bicameral group of mid-Michigan lawmakers who have worked together for a number of years to address and advocate for the legislative and economic development issues affecting the region.