March 01, 2012
Lately there has been much written about the ‘death’ of the postal service has we know it. Article after article tells us that maybe it is time for USPS to go private – maybe it is time for the postal service to cut delivery days from 6 to 5 days – or less – maybe it is time for USPS to drastically reduced the number of post offices, and P&DC’s, across our nation.
Almost all news tells us that the culprit behind the trouble USPS is experiencing is lower mail volume, but mostly the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006 (PDF) that requires USPS to pay huge sums of cash into the U.S. Treasury to cover future health and retirement benefits. In fact, here is a list of required payments by USPS covered by this bill:
POSTAL SERVICE RETIREMENT AND HEALTH BENEFITS FUNDING
The United States Postal Service shall pay into such Fund–
- $5,400,000,000, not later than September 30, 2007;
- $5,400,000,000, not later than September 30, 2008;
- $5,400,000,000, not later than September 30, 2009;
- $5,500,000,000, not later than September 30, 2010;
- $5,500,000,000, not later than September 30, 2011;
- $5,600,000,000, not later than September 30, 2012;
- $5,600,000,000, not later than September 30, 2013;
- $5,700,000,000, not later than September 30, 2014;
- $5,700,000,000, not later than September 30, 2015; and
- $5,800,000,000, not later than September 30, 2016.
Not later than September 30, 2017, and by September 30 of each succeeding year, the United States Postal Service shall pay into such Fund the sum of–
- the net present value computed under paragraph (1); and
- any annual installment computed under paragraph (2)(B).
Read these here: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/F?c109:1:./temp/~c109qSHvYU:e164244:
The P.A.E.A. bill was introduced by Rep. Thomas Davis [R-VA11] and had three cosponsors:
- Danny Davis [D-IL7]
- Henry Waxman [D-CA30]
- John McHugh [R-NY23]
See sponsors:
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:HR06407:@@@P
So, both republicans and democrats sponsored this bill. The bill passed in the House of Representatives by voice vote. – a record of each representative’s position was not kept. The bill passed in the Senate by Unanimous Consent and a record of each senator’s position was not kept of this either.
You may re-read this bill here:
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-109hr6407ih/pdf/BILLS-109hr6407ih.pdf
[…] The New Democrat wing of the Democratic Party is also its “New Liberal” (aka neo-liberal) wing. Its members serve Money, have from DLC days onward, just like Republicans do, and privatizing services is a great way to make even more money for people who love only money. It’s why the government Postal Service, for example, is being taken apart by both parties. […]
I think that I believe the Senator who came on Thom Hartman and said that these provisions were a poison pill inserted in committee,in the middle of the night, and the votes and sponsorship were on an earlier version without them. It was also right before xmas break and folks were focused on getting out of “Dodge”(NPI). I sure hope the P.O. makes it another 2 years and comes out stronger.They were on the cusp of getting an all electric fleet right before this.
Co-Sponsors
Scott Brown [R-MA]
How is that possible in 2006?
Brain Cancer patient Ted Kennedy was still in and voted for PAEA.
Barack Obama voted for the PAEA (Postal Reform Act) of 2006. So did Ted Kennedy, Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden and John Kerry. In, fact, it passed the Senate with 100% consent, not a single senator objected to the language in the bill. And the co sponsors of the bill in the house were two Democrats, Danny Davis and Henry Waxman. – Both the NALC and NPMHU endorsed the bill.
[…] supporters point out that cutbacks are a natural outcome of tightened budgets. But postal workers argue that unnecessary and burdensome policies passed by the Congress in 2006 manufacturedthe fiscal […]
[…] supporters point out that cutbacks are a natural outcome of tightened budgets. But postal workers argue that unnecessary and burdensome policies passed by the Congress in 2006 manufactured the fiscal […]
Aren’t many of the same bad actors behind SB 1789, e.g., Lieberman, Carper, Collins? And, without PAEA didn’t the USPS actually profit in 2011 to the tune of $105 million. It’s time for real transparency and action from the Senate and the house. Barring that we need support from the 99%.
PEN says:
Sponsor: Sen. Joseph Lieberman [I-CT]
Co-Sponsors
Scott Brown [R-MA]
Thomas Carper [D-DE]
Susan Collins [R-ME]