Congressional Delegates Weigh-In on Postal Cutbacks
Local News
by
Adam Uhernik
last edited on
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Many agencies across the United States are trying to save money, and it's no different for the Postal Service.
But some members of South Dakota's congressional delegation say the Post Office should not cut Saturday service or implement a $0.02 increase on stamps.
Senator John Thune says the post office should look to cut overhead and day-to-day operational costs first.
Meanwhile, Representative Stephanie Herseth Sandlin says cutting Saturday service won't work for rural South Dakotans.
“What I would like to see them do is try to cut expenses by reducing costs of operations, and in many respects I think that is the first thing you do before you raise rates. Everyone in America is trying to figure out how to save money and that's where the postal service needs to start," says Thune.
"And while we are recognizing the financial pressures for government, there are no easy decisions left to deal with these financial pressures. No one wants it to be disproportionately shared in terms of that burden on the backs of rural America,” says Herseth Sandlin.
Herseth Sandlin says many South Dakotans rely on six-day service to get much needed medications and other important packages, especially those folks in rural areas.