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<\/p>\nThis impressive performance in the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2016 brings the operating profit for the year\u2019s first half to $1.833 billion, without a dime of taxpayer money. The Postal Service is now into its fourth straight year of operating in the black\u2014with $4.4 billion in operating profits just since the start of FY2014.<\/p>\n
These results show the vitality\u2014and business viability\u2014of the Postal Service in today\u2019s economy. That\u2019s all the more so because they are not a fluke but rather stem from structural factors: An improving economy has helped stabilize letter revenue (Q2 volume up 0.7 percent from second quarter of 2015 and revenue up 1.6 percent), and internet-driven online shopping has sent package volume sharply upward (volume up 11.4 percent and revenue up 16.2 percent over last year\u2019s Q2.) As a result, overall revenue is up by 4.7 percent.<\/p>\n
Today\u2019s positive news also validates the emerging consensus among key lawmakers, the Postal Service, postal unions, businesses, mailers and industry groups to move forward with practical reform that all stakeholders can buy into.<\/p>\n
Two matters are worth noting in this regard. One is the two-cent decrease in stamp prices that went into effect last month, the first price rollback since 1919. The USPS projects this will cost it about $2 billion annually. This makes no financial sense, particularly when USPS already has the lowest rates in the industrialized world and other nations’ postage rates are rising. Nevertheless, the adverse effect on postal revenues should be short-term in nature since the Postal Regulatory Commission\u2019s scheduled review of the postage rate-setting system begins in less than seven months. We are confident that the PRC will restore rates to sensible levels before implementing a new system.<\/p>\n
And the 2006 congressional mandate that USPS pre-fund future retiree health benefits\u2014something no other public or private entity has to do\u2014costs $5.6 billion a year and has accounted for all of the \u201cred ink\u201d you hear about.<\/p>\n
If lawmakers adopt a smart, targeted reform package that includes addressing pre-funding, allowing USPS the flexibility to use its invaluable networks for some new products and services, and adopting best private-sector practices in investing the USPS retiree health benefits fund, USPS can continue to provide Americans and their businesses with the world’s most affordable delivery services.<\/p>\n