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ACTION ALERT

STOP SECTION 403 of the POSTAL REFORM ACT

BACKGROUND

The US Postal Service is in financial crisis. Representative Issa (R-CA) has introduced HR 2309, the Postal Reform Act, designed to reduce costs and increase revenue for the Postal Service. Although this is a reasonable goal, the bill contains section 403 which would eliminate the special reduced rate for non-profit standard mail over several years. Nonprofits have counted on the reduced rates to make it possible to stay in contact with their benefactors, members and clients. The reduction is currently set at 40 percent. The increase called for by section 403 would be devastating to most non-profit organizations, including the Columban Fathers.

ACTION REQUESTED

WRITE TO THE CHAIR OF THE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE

A sample letter is printed below. Please send letters to Representative Darrel Issa (R-CA),the committee chairman and sponsor of the bill.

Fax the letter to: 202-225-3974

SAMPLE LETTER

                 

Date

Honorable Darrell Issa

Chairman, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

United States House of Representatives

Washington, DC 20515

Fax: 202-225-3974

Dear Chairman Issa:

I am writing to ask you to remove the non-profit postal increase contained in HR 2309, the Postal Reform Act.

Non-profit organizations have qualified for special reduced postage rates since 1951. The discount was introduced to demonstrate the country’s support for civil society organizations. Increasing the cost of postage would devastate non-profit organizations, forcing them to cut costs elsewhere and would result in the elimination of many programs that benefit our society.

As a [member, benefactor, employee] of a faith-based nonprofit organization, I understand their need, in these difficult financial times, to use their income wisely. This bill will make that even more difficult. Please reconsider this section of the bill and enable nonprofit organizations to continue to do their works of charity.

Sincerely,

[your name]

CONTACT INFORMATION

Michelle Melcher Knight

mmknight@columban.org