Category: Alliance Report

  • USPS pricing regulatory review

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    Steve Kearney
    in

    January 6, 2017 Let the regulatory review begin–could have a big impact on nonprofit mailers We reported in our last issue that the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) began its review of how postage is regulated in the U.S. on December 20. Because postal mail is so critically important to the funding and missions of so…

  • Marketing Mail

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    Steve Kearney
    in

    January 6, 2017 Marketing Mail change will be phased, have less impact After surprising mailers with the news that it intended to change the name of Standard Mail to Marketing Mail as a part of the 2017 rate change, the USPS has listened a bit to its customers. It issued the following announcement before Christmas:…

  • Important stamp information for nonprofits in 2017

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    Steve Kearney
    in

    Stamps: Buy Forever by Jan 22; consider trying custom stamps; relief may be on the way for low denominations Postage stamps are important tools for many nonprofits. People tend to assume that stamps are only used by the ever-diminishing personal letter writer and bill payer. But nonprofits use First Class stamps on outbound letters and…

  • New nonprofit stamp design for 2017

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    Steve Kearney
    in

  • Great news on USPS liabilities

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    Steve Kearney
    in

    January 6, 2017 Government to reduce USPS pension liability Long on the list of must-haves by the USPS has been a re-valuation of its retirement liabilities based on its own employees’ demographics rather than those of the full government workforce. The Proposed Rule was issued by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) on December 22,…

  • USPS has no Governors

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    Steve Kearney
    in

    The governance structure set up in 1970 for the U.S. Postal Service is now at serious risk. The nine outside governors appointed by the president are no more. All of their nine-year terms expired and the Senate has not confirmed any replacements. The candidates nominated by President Obama have not been confirmed, reportedly because of…

  • Senate Confirms Two PRC Commissioners

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    Steve Kearney
    in

    In the very early morning hours of Saturday, December 10, the following message emerged from the U.S. Senate: POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION Executive Calendar #740 – Mark D. Acton, of Kentucky, to be a Commissioner of the Postal Regulatory Commission for a term expiring October 14, 2022 (Reappointment) Executive Calendar #741 – Robert G. Taub, of…

  • Congress Adjourns for 2016 Without Postal Reform Legislation

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    Steve Kearney
    in

    Despite valiant efforts by both the Senate and House oversight committees, no postal reform legislation came to pass in 2016. With the shift in control of the White House, and the resulting Republican control of both the executive and legislative branches, prospects for new postal legislation are very uncertain going into 2017. All eyes will…

  • PRC Starts 10-year Regulatory Review

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    Steve Kearney
    in

    At 8:02:10 AM EST on December 20, 2016, a very long and complicated process was started. This is the 10-year anniversary of the passage of the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act (PAEA) of 2006. The Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) initiated the process by issuing a 12-page order that lays out its scope, the initial process,…

  • Member Spotlight: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

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    Steve Kearney
    in

    With this latest edition of the Alliance Report, sent via email on December 1, we continue to recognize members supporting the Postal Museum and their latest online exhibit, “America’s Mailing Industry”. This week, we would like to recognize St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and how direct mail has played a vital role in their mission…