Latest news with #PostalReorganizationActof1970
The Hill
09-05-2025
- Business
- The Hill
Ex-Waste Management CEO David Steiner tapped to lead USPS
Former Waste Management CEO David Steiner is set to become the U.S. Postal Service's next postmaster general this summer, as the independent mail agency faces significant financial struggles and questions about its future under President Trump. 'Dave is the right person to lead the Postal Service at this time to ensure this magnificent and historic organization thrives into the future,' USPS board chairwoman Amber McReynolds said in a statement announcing Steiner's hire on Friday. 'Dave is a highly regarded leader and executive with tremendous vision, experience and skill that can be applied to the long-term mission and business needs of the Postal Service.' Steiner, 67, who led the waste-and-recycling firm's overhaul following a financial scandal in the 1990s, had emerged as a frontrunner for the postal head job in recent days and was reportedly backed by President Trump for the role. He is on the board of directors at leading USPS competitor FedEx, where he has held the title of lead independent director. Brian Renfroe, president of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) union that represents thousands of active and former postal workers, deemed Sterner's history with FedEx a conflict of interest with USPS's long-term mission and 'a direct assault on the workers who keep the mail moving and the public connected.' 'His selection isn't just a conflict of interest — it's an aggressive step toward handing America's mail system over to corporate interests,' Renfroe said in a statement. 'Private shippers have been waiting to get USPS out of parcel delivery for years. Steiner's selection is an open invitation to do just that.' The postal service operated under the White House for decades until Congress passed the Postal Reorganization Act of 1970. A president-appointed board of governors picks the postmaster general and provides oversight under the current system. The current board includes one Trump appointee and four members appointed by former President Biden, with four seats vacant. Trump has floated the idea of reclaiming control, possibly under the umbrella of the Department of Commerce. 'We want to have a post office that works well and doesn't lose massive amounts of money, and we're thinking about doing that,' Trump told reporters in February. 'And it will be a form of a merger, but it'll remain the Postal Service, and I think it'll operate a lot better than it has been over the years.' The Washington Post reported this week, citing unnamed sources, that Trump was involved in Steiner's selection. Trump pushed for the ouster of former postmaster general Louis DeJoy in March.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Firing Fed chief Jerome Powell is more problematic than Trump thinks
Question: Can the president remove heads of independent agencies, such as the Federal Reserve and U.S. Postal Service? Answer: The question of whether the president can simply remove the heads of federal agencies has become more complicated. The answer used to be straightforward, and depended on the legislation that created the agency or position. There is usually a process in the law which explains how and when an agency head can be removed, and under what circumstances. In some cases, the president's power to act is limited under the law, usually as an attempt to insulate the agency from direct political influence. A good example is the U.S. Postal Service. I have discussed previously in this space why then-President Joe Biden could not simply remove Louis DeJoy, the controversial postmaster who was appointed during Donald Trump's first term. Unlike most executive branch agencies which have a single leader appointed and removable by the president, the Postal Service is overseen by a Board of Governors. Under the Postal Reorganization Act of 1970, there are nine governors appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate for staggered seven-year terms. Under that law, the postmaster is appointed or removed by the other members of the board, not the president or the Senate. Opinion: Trump tariffs impact markets and economy. Should Congress intervene Similarly, under the Federal Reserve Act of 1932, persons nominated by the president and approved by the Senate as governors to the U.S. Central Bank are to serve 14-year terms, with one serving a concurrent four-year term as chair. The current Federal Reserve chair is Jerome Powell, and his term runs through May 2026. Under the Federal Reserve Act, governors can only be dismissed for cause. "Cause" is a legal term which generally means some type of malfeasance, not a policy disagreement. The purpose here was to preserve the Central Bank's ability to fight inflation, which is often unpopular and contrary to elected leaders who often prefer to push growth through low interest rates. Courts have upheld limitations of the president's ability to remove some officials. In the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case of Humphrey's Executor v. United States (1935), the Court held that President Franklin D. Roosevelt could not remove a commissioner of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for policy disagreements. Similarly, in Morrison v. Olson (1988), the Court confirmed that Congress could constrain the President's removal of "inferior officers with limited duties and no policymaking." Opinion: Trump's tariff policies hurt local businesses like this West Palm Beach team However, some lawyers and pundits argue that the precedent is wrong and the president, as the head of the executive branch, should not be bound by the limitations created by Congress and can terminate anyone in the executive branch without limitation. This is sometimes called the "unitary executive" theory. The idea received some support in Seila Law v. CFPB (2020), where then-President Trump was able to replace the head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau despite the restrictions in the law. Nonetheless, as the law currently stands, the president does not have the freedom to remove the postmaster or the chair of the Federal Reserve. However, that may change as this issue is likely to be the subject of more litigation in the coming years. Kevin Wagner is a noted constitutional scholar and political science professor at Florida Atlantic University. The answers provided do not necessarily represent the views of the university. If you have a question about how American government and politics work, email him at kwagne15@ This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Trump and Powell are likely stuck with one another - for now | Opinion
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Will mail delivery in NY be affected by USPS changes? Find out what's coming
Starting this month, some New Yorkers may experience slower mail delivery as the United States Postal Service (USPS) undergoes changes. In March, former U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, who stepped down on March 24, announced that a deal was made with Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency to help USPS address ongoing issues, according to Reuters. The changes aim to save USPS at least $36 billion over the next decade. The updates will roll out in two phases, with the first taking effect on April 1. As a result, service standards for certain mail types will either remain the same, speed up, or slow down. Here's what you need to know about how these changes may affect mail delivery in New York: The USPS has nearly 2,000 post offices in New York, though more than 500 of them are no longer in operation. The first round of changes began on April 1. According to USPS, "most mail will retain the same service standard, some will have a faster standard, and some will have a slightly slower standard." However, specific areas affected have not yet been announced. Some areas could see a '2-3 day turnaround service' within regions, while others may experience delays due to adjustments in regional transportation schedules. The changes will impact the following services: First-Class Mail Periodicals Marketing Mail Package Services (Bound Printed Matter, Media Mail, Library Mail) USPS Ground Advantage Priority Mail Priority Express Mail While First-Class Mail's delivery window of 1-5 days will remain unchanged, the day ranges for end-to-end Marketing Mail, Periodicals, and Package Services will be shortened, with some shipping products now experiencing slower delivery times. Additionally, USPS will streamline sorting and delivery by using five-digit zip codes instead of three-digit ones. USPS has a map available online to help customers see delivery times between different zip codes. Customers also can look up service standards at A second round of changes will take effect on July 1, and more information will be released closer to that date. In other news, DeJoy announced a reduction of 10,000 USPS workers through a voluntary early retirement program, offering retiring workers a $15,000 incentive. According to a news release from the American Postal Workers Union, workers who opt to retire early can get a one-time $15,000 incentive paid in two parts. While no immediate changes are planned, there has been speculation about privatizing USPS. However, any attempt to privatize would require Congressional approval. The Postal Reorganization Act of 1970 made USPS an independent agency under the executive branch, and the president cannot directly oversee it. Contributing: USA Today Network Emily Barnes reports on consumer-related issues for the USA TODAY Network's New York Connect Team, focusing on scam and recall-related topics. Follow her on X and Instagram @byemilybarnes. Get in touch at ebarnes@ This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Will mail delivery in NY be affected by USPS changes? See changes
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Will USPS changes lead to slower mail in NY? Here's what you need to know
Starting this month, some New Yorkers may experience slower mail delivery as the United States Postal Service (USPS) undergoes changes. In March, former U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, who stepped down on March 24, announced that a deal was made with Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency to help USPS address ongoing issues, according to Reuters. The changes aim to save USPS at least $36 billion over the next decade. The updates will roll out in two phases, with the first taking effect on April 1. As a result, service standards for certain mail types will either remain the same, speed up, or slow down. Here's what you need to know about how these changes may affect mail delivery in New York: The USPS has nearly 2,000 post offices in New York, though more than 500 of them are no longer in operation. The first round of changes began on April 1. According to USPS, "most mail will retain the same service standard, some will have a faster standard, and some will have a slightly slower standard." However, specific areas affected have not yet been announced. Some areas could see a '2-3 day turnaround service' within regions, while others may experience delays due to adjustments in regional transportation schedules. The changes will impact the following services: First-Class Mail Periodicals Marketing Mail Package Services (Bound Printed Matter, Media Mail, Library Mail) USPS Ground Advantage Priority Mail Priority Express Mail While First-Class Mail's delivery window of 1-5 days will remain unchanged, the day ranges for end-to-end Marketing Mail, Periodicals, and Package Services will be shortened, with some shipping products now experiencing slower delivery times. Additionally, USPS will streamline sorting and delivery by using five-digit zip codes instead of three-digit ones. USPS has a map available online to help customers see delivery times between different zip codes. Customers also can look up service standards at A second round of changes will take effect on July 1, and more information will be released closer to that date. In other news, DeJoy announced a reduction of 10,000 USPS workers through a voluntary early retirement program, offering retiring workers a $15,000 incentive. According to a news release from the American Postal Workers Union, workers who opt to retire early can get a one-time $15,000 incentive paid in two parts. While no immediate changes are planned, there has been speculation about privatizing USPS. However, any attempt to privatize would require Congressional approval. The Postal Reorganization Act of 1970 made USPS an independent agency under the executive branch, and the president cannot directly oversee it. Contributing: USA Today Network Emily Barnes reports on consumer-related issues for the USA TODAY Network's New York Connect Team, focusing on scam and recall-related topics. Follow her on X and Instagram @byemilybarnes. Get in touch at ebarnes@ This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Will USPS changes lead to slower mail in NY? What you need to know
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Postal Service is making changes. Will USPS mail be slower in Florida? What to know
As President Trump and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) – run by Elon Musk – make sweeping cuts and attempt to dissolve or merge certain agencies throughout the federal government, the United States Postal Service (USPS) is no exception. Changes to how and when USPS delivers certain mail take effect this week, with more changes on the way this July. 'Older than the United States itself, the postal service faces significant challenges as Americans send fewer letters, Christmas cards and wedding invitations,' USA TODAY reported this week. 'Now, President Donald Trump's federal cost-cutting efforts, led by billionaire Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency, are targeting how to stop the service from losing money.' Here's what we know about if Trump could privatize USPS, what changes are taking effect this month and how it affects when your mail gets to where it's going. Trump could technically privatize USPS, but it would be quite difficult and require congressional approval. Under the Postal Reorganization Act of 1970 (H.R. 17070), the postal service functions as an independent agency under the executive branch. USPS is directed by a Board of Governors appointed by the president and approved by Congress. The president can make nominations, but he doesn't have direct oversight. Reorganizing how the agency works (which is what's happening now) is much easier than privatizing and doesn't require congressional approval. While some Trump supporters and critics of USPS want to see the service merge with the Commerce Department or even privatize, the postal service is still technically an independent agency. And Congress maintains close control. Retired New York University professor Steve Hutkins, a longtime postal service champion, told USA TODAY that he's skeptical DOGE will be able to make significant inroads. 'I don't know what Musk can do to make those things happen because of the legal barriers to making to them happen,' Hutkins told USA TODAY. 'If Musk wants to go there, good luck.' The appeal for those who support the idea of privatizing the service is that USPS has been hemorrhaging billions each year. And ideally, if privatized, the service would have the chance to turn a profit. But those who are against it, including the union workers who have been protesting DOGE's changes to the service, argue that mail delivery is a vital public service that shouldn't be profit-focused. Changes are coming for your mail: Postal service faces challenges − digital and DOGE The changes hitting USPS this month, which took effect on Tuesday, April 1, are just the first in USPS's 10-year plan titled 'Delivering for America: Our Vision and Ten-Year Plan to Achieve Financial Sustainability and Service Excellence,' according to the USPS website. 'The United States Postal Service is refining service standards for certain market-dominant services, helping support operational initiatives and simultaneously achieve substantial savings with no changes to the current five-day service standard window for the First-Class Mail product,' the plan says. This month's changes are the first phase to USPS's service, with more changes coming this summer, on July 1, 2025. According to USPS's fact sheet on the April 1 changes, the long term plan aims to save the agency at least $36 billion over the next 10 years. Here are some key points from USPS's changes that took effect this week, according to the USPS 'Delivering for America' fact sheet: Most mail will retain the same service standard, some mail will have a faster standard, and some will have a slightly slower standard. For First-Class Mail, the current service standard day range of one to five days is staying the same The day ranges for end-to-end Marketing Mail, Periodicals, and Package Services are being shortened. Most competitive shipping products will retain the same service standard, some packages will have a faster standard, and some will have a slightly slower standard. The current service standard day range for USPS Ground Advantage of two to five days is staying the same. The new service standards provide more precise expectations for mailers, as they are based on 5-Digit ZIP code pairs, rather than current standards that are based on 3-Digit ZIP code pairs. Mail that is sent on Saturday or the day before a holiday excludes Sundays and holidays as transit days. Customers can now look up service standards on for mailings from one ZIP Code to another on a particular mailing date. The search results will display the available mail classes along with the expected delivery dates for each. A new interactive map that displays service standards is available. Customers are able to enter the ZIP Code they are mailing from, along with the mail class, to view the expected delivery time. Rural customers who may experience a service downgrade for mail they are sending will benefit from the increased efficiencies that will be gained, particularly for mail they are receiving (including checks and medicines). Whether or not your packages deliver or arrive slower or faster under the new service changes depends on what you're mailing. As mentioned in the list above, USPS says that 'most mail will retain the same service standard, some mail will have a faster standard, and some will have a slightly slower standard.' For First-Class Mail, the current service standard of a one-to-five-day delivery time is staying the same. If you want to track a package, you can use the USPS Service Standards Map, which allows you to see expected delivery times between ZIP Codes for domestic mailing and shipping. According to a USPS October statement on how 2024 hurricanes affected service in Florida, the postal service operates 303 facilities in the state. To find the closest USPS location near you, you can use USPS's location finding tool on its website. Contributing: Bonnie Bolden, The Clarion Ledger; Trevor Hughes, USA TODAY This article originally appeared on Florida Today: USPS is trying to save money: How mail delivery is changing
