Klobuchar urges USPS to change policy that delays newspaper delivery

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) called on Postmaster General David Steiner to reconsider policy changes that will lower postal service standards and eliminate end-of-day mail collection at most of the nation’s post offices, particularly in rural areas.

A news release issued by Klobuchar’s Senate office Wednesday afternoon said the changes disrupt service for local newspapers. It cited the Kittson County Enterprise and northeastern Minnesota’s Timberjay newspapers as expecting delivery delays of at least one additional day.

“The Postal Service’s Regional Transportation Optimization (RTO) plan lowers service standards and eliminates end-of-day mail collection at most of the nation’s post offices, particularly in rural areas,” Klobuchar wrote in a letter to Steiner. “Local newspapers are already facing an existential crisis....  The United States Postal Service should be helping these local newspapers reach their communities, not making it more difficult for them to do their critical work."