Government Information » Postal Service http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu Links and annotations for national, state, and local government publications Fri, 17 May 2013 15:44:04 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5 Postal Service Announces New Delivery Schedule http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2013/02/06/postal-service-announces-new-delivery-schedule/ http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2013/02/06/postal-service-announces-new-delivery-schedule/#comments Wed, 06 Feb 2013 20:21:47 +0000 alan zoellner http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/?p=32764 http://about.usps.com/news/national-releases/2013/pr13_019.htm

Announces plans to switch to a 5 day mail delivery service in August 2013, though package delivery will continue on weekends.  From the Postal Service

 

]]> http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2013/02/06/postal-service-announces-new-delivery-schedule/feed/ 0 U.S. Postal Service: Overview of Initiatives to Increase Revenue and Introduce Nonpostal Services and Experimental Postal Products http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2013/01/15/u-s-postal-service-overview-of-initiatives-to-increase-revenue-and-introduce-nonpostal-services-and-experimental-postal-products/ http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2013/01/15/u-s-postal-service-overview-of-initiatives-to-increase-revenue-and-introduce-nonpostal-services-and-experimental-postal-products/#comments Tue, 15 Jan 2013 19:39:14 +0000 alan zoellner http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/?p=32176 http://www.gao.gov/assets/660/651298.pdf

Describes the nonpostal services offered by the Postal Service, the limitations imposed by 2006 legislation, and new initiatives to generate additional revenue.  Also examines why the Postal Service abandoned other revenue-generating initiatives.  From the Government Accountability Office

 

]]> http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2013/01/15/u-s-postal-service-overview-of-initiatives-to-increase-revenue-and-introduce-nonpostal-services-and-experimental-postal-products/feed/ 0 The U.S. Postal Service: Common Questions about Post Office Closures http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2012/06/15/the-u-s-postal-service-common-questions-about-post-office-closures/ http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2012/06/15/the-u-s-postal-service-common-questions-about-post-office-closures/#comments Fri, 15 Jun 2012 16:14:14 +0000 alan zoellner http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/?p=17878 http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R41950.pdf

Tries to answer questions about the closure of post offices including how many post offices are there in the U.S. and how many might be closed, what is the current closure process, what is the role of the Postal Regulatory Commission, how many employees might lost their jobs, and more.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

 

]]> http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2012/06/15/the-u-s-postal-service-common-questions-about-post-office-closures/feed/ 0 The U.S. Postal Service’s Use of Contractors to Deliver Mail: Background and Recent Developments http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2012/06/07/the-u-s-postal-services-use-of-contractors-to-deliver-mail-background-and-recent-developments/ http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2012/06/07/the-u-s-postal-services-use-of-contractors-to-deliver-mail-background-and-recent-developments/#comments Thu, 07 Jun 2012 15:47:23 +0000 alan zoellner http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/?p=17766 http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R42549.pdf

Reviews the dispute between the postal service administration and the National Association of Letter Carriers over use of non-union contractors to deliver mail and recent developments.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

 

]]> http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2012/06/07/the-u-s-postal-services-use-of-contractors-to-deliver-mail-background-and-recent-developments/feed/ 0 Plan to Profitability: 5 Year Business Plan http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2012/02/28/plan-to-profitability-5-year-business-plan/ http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2012/02/28/plan-to-profitability-5-year-business-plan/#comments Tue, 28 Feb 2012 15:17:45 +0000 alan zoellner http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/?p=16362 http://about.usps.com/news/national-releases/2012/pr12_0217profitability.pdf

Presents the postal service plan for coping with what it calls electronic diversion, a weak economy, and increased funding obligations to reverse a path of unsustainable losses.  From the U.S. Postal Service

 

]]> http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2012/02/28/plan-to-profitability-5-year-business-plan/feed/ 0 The U.S. Postal Service’s Financial Condition: Overview and Issues for Congress http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2012/02/07/the-u-s-postal-service%e2%80%99s-financial-condition-overview-and-issues-for-congress-4/ http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2012/02/07/the-u-s-postal-service%e2%80%99s-financial-condition-overview-and-issues-for-congress-4/#comments Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:53:38 +0000 alan zoellner http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/?p=16053 http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R41024.pdf

Provides an overview of the current financial condition of the Postal Service, legislation enacted to alleviate the financial challenges, and possible issues for the 112th Congress.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

 

]]> http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2012/02/07/the-u-s-postal-service%e2%80%99s-financial-condition-overview-and-issues-for-congress-4/feed/ 0 U.S. Postal Service: Ending Saturday Delivery Would Reduce Costs, But Comprehensive Restructuring is also Needed http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2011/03/30/u-s-postal-service-ending-saturday-delivery-would-reduce-costs-but-comprehensive-restructuring-is-also-needed/ http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2011/03/30/u-s-postal-service-ending-saturday-delivery-would-reduce-costs-but-comprehensive-restructuring-is-also-needed/#comments Wed, 30 Mar 2011 14:17:53 +0000 alan zoellner http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/?p=12414 http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d11270.pdf

Assesses postal cost and volume estimates and the operational impacts associated with its 5 day delivery proposal, and the trade-offs and other implications associated with this proposal.  From the Government Accountability Office

]]> http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2011/03/30/u-s-postal-service-ending-saturday-delivery-would-reduce-costs-but-comprehensive-restructuring-is-also-needed/feed/ 0 The U.S. Postal Service’s Financial Condition: Overview and Issues for Congress http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2011/03/11/the-u-s-postal-service%e2%80%99s-financial-condition-overview-and-issues-for-congress-3/ http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2011/03/11/the-u-s-postal-service%e2%80%99s-financial-condition-overview-and-issues-for-congress-3/#comments Fri, 11 Mar 2011 19:44:41 +0000 alan zoellner http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/?p=12221 http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R41024.pdf

Provides an overview of the Postal Service’s financial problems, legislation enacted to alleviate the problems, and possible issues for the 112th Congress. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

]]> http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2011/03/11/the-u-s-postal-service%e2%80%99s-financial-condition-overview-and-issues-for-congress-3/feed/ 0 Implications of Declining Mail Volumes for the Financial Sustainability of the Postal Service http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2010/10/12/implications-of-declining-mail-volumes-for-the-financial-sustainability-of-the-postal-service/ http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2010/10/12/implications-of-declining-mail-volumes-for-the-financial-sustainability-of-the-postal-service/#comments Tue, 12 Oct 2010 17:35:06 +0000 alan zoellner http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/?p=10420 http://www.uspsoig.gov/foia_files/RARC-WP-10-006.pdf

Reports that annual mail volume peaked in 2006 at 213 billion pieces and has declined sharply since.  This report focuses on the financial sustainability of the postal service including a study of the topic by the George Mason University School of Public Policy, which concludes the service could be sustainable down to 100 billion pieces per year.  From the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General

]]> http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2010/10/12/implications-of-declining-mail-volumes-for-the-financial-sustainability-of-the-postal-service/feed/ 0 The U.S. Postal Service’s Financial Condition: Overview and Issues for Congress http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2010/03/25/the-u-s-postal-service%e2%80%99s-financial-condition-overview-and-issues-for-congress-2/ http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2010/03/25/the-u-s-postal-service%e2%80%99s-financial-condition-overview-and-issues-for-congress-2/#comments Thu, 25 Mar 2010 19:52:06 +0000 alan zoellner http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/?p=7811 http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/R41024_20100317.pdf

Examines the current financial condition of the postal service, recent legislative proposals to alleviate the financial challenges, and issues for the 111th Congress, such as reducing postal deliveries to 5 days per week. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by OpenCRS.org.

]]> http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2010/03/25/the-u-s-postal-service%e2%80%99s-financial-condition-overview-and-issues-for-congress-2/feed/ 0 Envisioning a Viable Postal Service for America: An Action Plan for the Future http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2010/03/05/envisioning-a-viable-postal-service-for-america-an-action-plan-for-the-future/ http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2010/03/05/envisioning-a-viable-postal-service-for-america-an-action-plan-for-the-future/#comments Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:30:13 +0000 alan zoellner http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/?p=7592 http://www.usps.com/strategicplanning/_pdf/Ensuring_Viable_USPS_paper.pdf

Describes the problems that challenge the business model of the past and proposes strategies for survival in the future including more flexible pricing, limiting delivery to five days, and endings pre-funding of retiree health benefits.  From the U.S. Postal Service.

]]> http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2010/03/05/envisioning-a-viable-postal-service-for-america-an-action-plan-for-the-future/feed/ 0 The U.S. Postal Service’s Financial Condition: Overview and Issues for Congress http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2010/02/04/the-u-s-postal-service%e2%80%99s-financial-condition-overview-and-issues-for-congress/ http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2010/02/04/the-u-s-postal-service%e2%80%99s-financial-condition-overview-and-issues-for-congress/#comments Thu, 04 Feb 2010 14:05:40 +0000 alan zoellner http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/?p=7206 http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/R41024_20100119.pdf

Reviews the current financial position of the postal service, recent legislation to alleviate the financial challenges, and possible issues for the 111th Congress.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by OpenCRS.org.

]]> http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2010/02/04/the-u-s-postal-service%e2%80%99s-financial-condition-overview-and-issues-for-congress/feed/ 0 Postal Stations/Branches Identified for Full Study http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2009/08/06/postal-stationsbranches-identified-for-full-study/ http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2009/08/06/postal-stationsbranches-identified-for-full-study/#comments Thu, 06 Aug 2009 13:03:00 +0000 Administrator http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2009/08/06/postal-stationsbranches-identified-for-full-study/ http://www.prc.gov/prc-docs/home/whatsnew/Station%20and%20branch%20list_120.pdf

Preliminary list of postal stations being considered for closure. From the Postal Regulatory Commission.

]]> http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2009/08/06/postal-stationsbranches-identified-for-full-study/feed/ 0 Post Office and Retail Postal Facility Closures: Overview and Issues for Congress http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2009/07/28/post-office-and-retail-postal-facility-closures-overview-and-issues-for-congress/ http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2009/07/28/post-office-and-retail-postal-facility-closures-overview-and-issues-for-congress/#comments Tue, 28 Jul 2009 12:24:00 +0000 Administrator http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2009/07/28/post-office-and-retail-postal-facility-closures-overview-and-issues-for-congress/ http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R40719.pdf

The Postal Service has announced that it is considering closing 3100 of its 48 post office branches and stations due to declining mail volume. This report provides information on postal plans, historical data on the number of U.S. post offices, a review of the procedures and laws relevant to postal closings, and a consideration of possible issues of interest to Congress. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists.

]]> http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2009/07/28/post-office-and-retail-postal-facility-closures-overview-and-issues-for-congress/feed/ 0 Special Report: Review of Selected Issues in the Virginia Election and Registration Information Syst http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2008/06/13/special-report-review-of-selected-issues-in-the-virginia-election-and-registration-information-syst/ http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2008/06/13/special-report-review-of-selected-issues-in-the-virginia-election-and-registration-information-syst/#comments Fri, 13 Jun 2008 12:35:00 +0000 Administrator http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2008/06/13/special-report-review-of-selected-issues-in-the-virginia-election-and-registration-information-syst/ http://jlarc.state.va.us/Meetings/June08/VERIS.pdf

Reports on problems in Virginia elections relating to use of U.S. Postal Service address data and duplication of social security numbers in voter records. From the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission.

]]> http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2008/06/13/special-report-review-of-selected-issues-in-the-virginia-election-and-registration-information-syst/feed/ 0 Annual Report of Investigations of the United States Postal Inspection Service http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2008/05/02/annual-report-of-investigations-of-the-united-states-postal-inspection-service/ http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2008/05/02/annual-report-of-investigations-of-the-united-states-postal-inspection-service/#comments Fri, 02 May 2008 20:17:00 +0000 Administrator http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2008/05/02/annual-report-of-investigations-of-the-united-states-postal-inspection-service/ http://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/radDocs/pubs/AR2007.pdf

Covers activities relating to national and global security, mail fraud, mail theft, violent crime, hazardous and dangerous mail, and child exploitation via the mail. From the U.S. Postal Inspection Service

]]> http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2008/05/02/annual-report-of-investigations-of-the-united-states-postal-inspection-service/feed/ 0 Accounting for Laws that Apply Differently to the United States Postal Service and Its Private Compe http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2008/01/18/accounting-for-laws-that-apply-differently-to-the-united-states-postal-service-and-its-private-compe/ http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2008/01/18/accounting-for-laws-that-apply-differently-to-the-united-states-postal-service-and-its-private-compe/#comments Fri, 18 Jan 2008 16:15:00 +0000 Administrator http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2008/01/18/accounting-for-laws-that-apply-differently-to-the-united-states-postal-service-and-its-private-compe/ http://www.ftc.gov/os/2008/01/080116postal.pdf

Reports on the competitive mail market and the burdens and advantages that the Postal Service has as a federal entity compared to its private competitors. Concludes that the burdens exceed the benefits but that both distort the marketplace and explores ways that Congress and the Postal Regulatory Commission could minimize these distortions. From the Federal Trade Commission.

]]> http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2008/01/18/accounting-for-laws-that-apply-differently-to-the-united-states-postal-service-and-its-private-compe/feed/ 0 Postal Service Previews 2008 Stamps http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2008/01/02/postal-service-previews-2008-stamps/ http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2008/01/02/postal-service-previews-2008-stamps/#comments Wed, 02 Jan 2008 19:26:00 +0000 Administrator http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2008/01/02/postal-service-previews-2008-stamps/ http://www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/2007/sr07_084.htm

Features thumbnail images of stamps for 2008. Subjects include state flags, writers, scientists, journalists, entertainers, and vintage black cinema. From the U.S. Postal Service.

]]> http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2008/01/02/postal-service-previews-2008-stamps/feed/ 0 U.S. Postal Rates and Fees http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2007/03/21/u-s-postal-rates-and-fees/ http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2007/03/21/u-s-postal-rates-and-fees/#comments Wed, 21 Mar 2007 14:52:00 +0000 Administrator http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2007/03/21/u-s-postal-rates-and-fees/ http://pe.usps.com/RateCase2007/DMM300_HTML/RatesAndFees.htm

U.S. Postal rates for all forms of service, effective May 14, 2007. From the U.S. Postal Service.

]]> http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2007/03/21/u-s-postal-rates-and-fees/feed/ 0 Decision of the Governors of the United States Postal Service … on Changes in Postal Rates an http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2007/03/21/decision-of-the-governors-of-the-united-states-postal-service-on-changes-in-postal-rates-an/ http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2007/03/21/decision-of-the-governors-of-the-united-states-postal-service-on-changes-in-postal-rates-an/#comments Wed, 21 Mar 2007 14:49:00 +0000 Administrator http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2007/03/21/decision-of-the-governors-of-the-united-states-postal-service-on-changes-in-postal-rates-an/ http://www.usps.com/ratecase/_pdf/Mar19FINAL.pdf

Lengthy document detailing the response of the Governors of the USPS to recommendations of the Postal Regulatory Commission in establishing the new fee schedule. First class stamps will cost 41 cents and most new rates will begin on May 14, 2007. The Governors also approved the so-called Forever Stamp which will sell at the 41 cent rate and always reflect the prevailing first class one-ounce letter rate. From the U.S. Postal Service.

]]> http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2007/03/21/decision-of-the-governors-of-the-united-states-postal-service-on-changes-in-postal-rates-an/feed/ 0 Looks Too Good To Be True.com http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2005/11/03/looks-too-good-to-be-true-com/ http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2005/11/03/looks-too-good-to-be-true-com/#comments Thu, 03 Nov 2005 15:28:00 +0000 Administrator http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2005/11/03/looks-too-good-to-be-true-com/ http://www.lookstoogoodtobetrue.com/

Offers information about consumer scams on the Internet. Covers typical types of Internet-based fraud, victim stories, tips, and a FAQ. Cosponsored by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Postal Service

]]> http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2005/11/03/looks-too-good-to-be-true-com/feed/ 0 U.S. Postal Service: Strategic Transformation 2006-2010 http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2005/09/30/u-s-postal-service-strategic-transformation-2006-2010/ http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2005/09/30/u-s-postal-service-strategic-transformation-2006-2010/#comments Fri, 30 Sep 2005 13:37:00 +0000 Administrator http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2005/09/30/u-s-postal-service-strategic-transformation-2006-2010/ http://www.usps.com/strategicplanning/2006-2010.htm

The Postal Service plan for reducing costs by $4 billion in 4 years while improving service.

]]> http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/2005/09/30/u-s-postal-service-strategic-transformation-2006-2010/feed/ 0