Baldwin demands USPS provide better service

U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, D-WI, has called on Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to immediately address costly delays Wisconsin newspapers that rely on the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) are experiencing, resulting in lost revenue, customer complaints and canceled subscriptions.

“Local newspapers work hard every day and week to deliver news on a timely basis to readers in their communities,” Baldwin wrote in a letter to DeJoy. “While USPS has consistently raised rates for local newspapers, service has not improved, and these newspapers are instead receiving unprecedented calls from their customers about mail delays.”

In her letter to DeJoy, Baldwin cited several Wisconsin newspapers whose service has been impacted by higher rates and long delays at the Postal Service, contributing to customer complaints and costly canceled subscriptions.

The Iron County Miner in Hurley, which spends thousands of dollars on postage each month, has received an unprecedented number of complaints due to delivery delays. The Mellen Weekly Record in Mellen reported hearing from subscribers less than 30 miles away that their newspapers have been delivered two to four weeks late. The Lakeland Times in Minocqua estimates it has lost nearly 500 subscribers and $100,000 from subscription cancellations over the past four years.

Baldwin has repeatedly called on the USPS to address rate hikes and delays Wisconsinites are experiencing. In April, after another announced price increase for first class mail stamps, Baldwin questioned DeJoy’s leadership, which has resulted in higher prices for Americans and worse service. Despite USPS enacting its new Delivering for America plan – which they promised would modernize and transform the Postal Service – customers continue to experience poor customer service and significant mail delays, including for rural newspaper delivery.

“I am calling on you, as the postmaster general, to reverse course on the Delivering for America plan and ensure that USPS service is reliable, including for rural newspaper delivery,” Baldwin wrote. “We all have a vested interest in seeing the USPS succeed. My constituents depend on the USPS for their daily correspondence, bills, lifesaving medications and, in many cases, their livelihood. I urge you to fulfill your responsibilities to support and serve small businesses and rural communities.”