KXLF: Tester asks Senate to postpone Postal Service closures
Senator Jon Tester is asking Senate leaders postpose closing post offices and area mail processing facilities for six months.
In a news release, Tester said the delay would allow Congress more time to “enact reforms necessary” for the Postal Service to succeed.
“We are concerned that the Postal Service may preempt Congress on this matter by closing or consolidating nearly 3,700 mostly rural post offices, over 250 mail processing facilities, and eliminating overnight delivery for first class mail before postal reform legislation is enacted,” Tester wrote, according to a press release from his office.
In August, the Postal Service announced plans to close 85 Montana post offices, and more recently recommended consolidating mail processing facilities in Kalispell, Missoula, Helena, Butte and Wolf Point. The Postal Service is struggling financially due to a 2006 law which set a formula for the pre-funding of employee health benefits, according to Tester’s office.
