WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) today sent a letter to Patrick Donahoe, Postmaster General of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), pushing for more transparency in the process of considering post offices in Pennsylvania for closure. Earlier this week, the USPS announced it was considering closing 203 post offices in Pennsylvania.
“Unfortunately, many of my constituents feel as if the USPS has repeatedly dismissed public opinion associated with these closures,” wrote Senator Casey. “While I understand that the USPS needs to restructure, when citizens of Pennsylvania ask reasonable questions regarding this process, it is imperative that the USPS respond to these inquiries in a thorough manner.”
Senator Casey requested that the USPS submit a plan to ensure that public input is given the weight it deserves as facilities are considered for closure.
Senator Casey also expressed his commitment to working with the USPS to overcome the agency’s fiscal challenges while preserving the jobs and services on which Pennsylvanians depend.
The full text of Senator Casey’s letter is below.
Dear Mr. Donahoe:
I am writing today regarding the recent announcement that the United States Postal Service (USPS) is considering closing 203 post offices across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. I am well aware of the financial challenges facing the USPS and am committed to working with you to overcome these challenges while preserving jobs and services on which Pennsylvanians depend. However, I am concerned about the level of community engagement in this process.
As I have written in previous letters, I am not seeking to challenge the logic behind any particular proposed closure but rather to stress the importance of involving communities in these decisions. Unfortunately, many of my constituents feel as if the USPS has repeatedly dismissed public opinion associated with these closures. My office has been informed that communities have often asked the USPS to provide data to support assertions made regarding closures. It is my understanding that the USPS generally considers this information proprietary and has refused to release it publicly. This secrecy has caused a significant amount of frustration in affected communities. While I understand that the USPS needs to restructure, when citizens of Pennsylvania ask reasonable questions regarding this process, it is imperative that the USPS respond to these inquiries in a thorough manner.
As the USPS considers which facilities to close, I ask that you please take into consideration the viewpoints of your customers. I also request that you submit to my office your plan to ensure that public input is given the weight it deserves.
Thank you for your attention to this request.
Sincerely,
Robert P. Casey, Jr.
United States Senator
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