Why the Postage Increase?

Here we go again! The U.S. Postal Service will be implementing postage increases, effective May 14. Each time postage is increased, rumors abound as to "why" the increase is necessary. The Postal Service has found it necessary to raise the postage rate for a variety of reasons: The 9-11 attacks and terrorism threats have mandated that the Postal Service implement expensive equipment to prevent anthrax or other dangerous substances from entering the system.

Transportation costs continue to skyrocket. For each 1-cent per gallon increase in gasoline, the Postal Service costs increase $8 million per year.

Health insurance costs rise each year for employees.

New additional delivery points (customers) increase each year. In the Fort Myers/Cape Coral area, an average of 11,000 new customers have been added each of the past several years.

As new Post Offices and employees are added, there are naturally more costs.

The new prices reflect the differences in the costs of handling post cards, letters, large envelopes, and packages. If customers are diligent in their choice of envelopes or packaging, they can actually save money as some prices are lower than those in the past.

Last year, the postage increase was a direct result of a congressional mandate for the Postal Service to put about $3 billion into a mandated escrow account. The Postal Service, which employs 700,000 people, is funded entirely by operating revenue. It receives no tax dollars.

The U.S. Postal Service is the cheapest in the world and provides the best service.

So, when you purchase those 41-cent stamps, realize that you are getting a very good service for your small investment.

Jody Van Cooney Fort Myers, member, U.S. Postal Service Consumer Advisory Council