Chat with Chic, May 17, 1985

A Report from Washington . Chat with Chic By U.S. Senator Chic Hecht I've had a lot of correspondence recently concerning rumored closure of many of the small post offices in Nevada. In fact, during the last three weeks, I've received 178 letters regarding this subject. One of those letters was from a postmaster in a small Nevada town. He told me he had received notice his office would have to close. After checking into this I learned that this was not the case. In fact, his community was expected to get a new post office in the very near future. Closing some of the smaller post offices is one of the many recommendations contained in the Grace Commission report in an effort to cut federal spending and help reduce the horrendous budget deficit. If we don't curb spending, inflation and high interest rates will again take over, hurting the poor and those on fixed incomes the most. I fully sympathize with those who have written me in opposition to reported closures. Just imagine what it would be like NOT to get letters, packages and other items on a regular basis. Some Nevada towns are isolated enough without cutting off this vital link to the "outside". Because of the interest this issue is generating, my staff has researched this matter thoroughly. Current law confers on the U.S Postal Service the exclusive right to carry letters subject to certain exceptions. The laws are so designed to guarantee every U.S. citizen,, regardless of where they reside, efficient mail service at reasonable cost. Chat with Chic, page 2 Current law also requires the Postal Service to provide a maximum degree of effective and regular postal service to rural areas where post offices are not self-sustaining. Postal authorities have told me that the USPS does close 100 to 200 offices annually. But before each closing there not only is a case review but a comment period where constituents may voice their opinions. This is an important safeguard which I strongly support. Incidentally, post office closings do not come within the purview of the Congress. Those decisions are made by the Postal Service. However, Congress can legislate "higher requirements" for postal closings. No legislation has yet emerged, but should something come up, you can be sure we'll be watching it very closely.