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Significance
The administration’s 2021 fiscal year (October 1-September 30) budget request dismisses the preferred solution of the postmaster general and Congress Democrats, for taxpayers to fund USPS retiree healthcare obligations.
Impacts
Ending universal service would disproportionately hit rural areas and small towns, which rely on USPS.
USPS will come under pressure to be more transparent about the discounts and terms it offers to bulk customers.
The Postal Regulatory Commission’s review of how postal rates are set is likely to expand the criteria for justifying increases.
Congress will appropriate more money for USPS to keep it going, but that will not necessarily drive reform.
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2020
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