Sen. Johnson, other senators make Postal Service proposals

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WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Tim Johnson, D-S.D., and at least 20 other senators are asking the leaders of the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, which has jurisdiction over postal issues, to keep rural America in mind when making changes to the postal reform bill approved by their committee before it is considered on the Senate floor.

The group sent a letter outlining its concerns and announced the letter Tuesday.

Specifically, Johnson and his colleagues propose strengthening service standards in rural America and holding the U.S. Postal Service accountable if it violates them; prohibiting closure of any post office that would result in a distance of more than 10 miles between any two post offices; preserving six-day delivery of mail for at least four years and adding greater protections for future years; maintaining 1-3 day delivery standards for first class mail to prevent the widespread closure of area mail processing centers; and establishing a commission to develop a new business model for the Postal Service to succeed in the 21st century.

Johnson said he is committed to addressing the agency’s fiscal challenges, while preserving quality postal service in rural areas.

“We all recognize that the Postal Service needs to make changes to remain viable, but South Dakotans should still have access to reliable, quality postal service,” Johnson said. “Small businesses rely on the Postal Service to sell their goods and seniors depend on it to receive their prescriptions. The Postal Service plays a central role in our way of life.”

Last December, Johnson helped lead a successful effort to persuade the USPS to put a moratorium on closures of Postal Service facilities while Congress works on reforms.

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