The "Deliver for Democracy Act" aims to improve the on-time delivery of periodicals by requiring the USPS to meet specific performance standards before raising rates, mandating annual progress reports, and studying alternative pricing options to support periodicals' financial stability.
Peter Welch
Senator
VT
The "Deliver for Democracy Act" aims to improve the on-time delivery of periodicals by requiring the Postal Regulatory Commission to change its regulations regarding rate increases for periodicals based on specific performance metrics. It mandates annual progress reports on newspaper mail delivery and directs the Comptroller General to study alternative pricing options for the Postal Service to improve the financial position of periodicals.
New Bill Links USPS Periodical Rate Increases to Hitting On-Time Delivery Targets
This legislation, the Deliver for Democracy Act, introduces new rules for the U.S. Postal Service specifically concerning periodicals – think magazines and newspapers. At its core, the bill aims to improve the reliability of periodical delivery by tying the USPS's ability to raise rates for this mail class directly to its on-time performance. It also mandates more detailed tracking of newspaper mail and requires a study on how to make periodical delivery more financially sustainable.
Performance Pay: Rate Hikes Tied to Delivery Speed
The most significant change is found in Section 2. It directs the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC), the body overseeing USPS rates, to block any rate increases for periodicals unless the Postal Service meets one of two conditions: achieves a 95% on-time delivery rate for periodicals nationwide, or boosts its on-time performance by at least 2 percentage points compared to its best year since the bill's passage. These benchmarks are based on the service standards active when the bill is enacted. Essentially, if your magazines or newspapers aren't showing up reliably, the USPS might not be able to charge publishers more to mail them. This rule must be put in place within one year.
Spotlight on Newspapers: Tracking Local Mail
Section 3 zooms in on newspaper delivery. It requires the Postmaster General to issue annual public reports detailing the USPS's progress in measuring on-time delivery for both local (in-county) and out-of-county newspaper mail. If tracking individual newspapers proves too difficult, the bill outlines a process for using digital information from mail bundles to estimate performance, requiring transparency if this alternative method is used. This aims to provide clearer data on how well news publications, often vital for local information, are moving through the mail system.
Searching for Solutions: A Study on Sustainability
Recognizing that periodicals often struggle financially within the postal system, Section 4 tasks the Government Accountability Office (GAO) with conducting a study. Within two years, the GAO must explore alternative pricing structures and other options the USPS could use to improve the financial footing of periodicals and similar products that don't currently cover their costs. This study could lead to recommendations aimed at making it more viable for publishers to continue using mail delivery, potentially influencing the future cost and availability of print publications.