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Senators from 17 states want Postal Service to pause 10-year plan to save $160B | National

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www.thecentersquare.com – By Joe Mueller | The Center Square – 2024-05-09 12:00:00

(The Center Square) – A bipartisan group of 26 U.S. senators from 17 states are urging leaders of the U.S. Postal Service to delay execution of its strategic plan.

“We call on you to pause planned changes to the U.S. Postal Service’s processing and delivery network under the ‘Delivering for America’ plan, until you request and receive a comprehensive Advisory Opinion from the Postal Regulatory Commission to fully study the potential impacts of these changes,” according to a letter signed by the Senators and addressed to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy and the Board of Governors.

Democratic Nevada Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen signed the letter and highlighted ongoing demands to change the plan, made along with U.S. Rep. Mark Amodei, R-Nev. They highlighted planned changes to a facility in Reno, which will be downsized from a regional hub to a local center and its regional operations moved to Sacramento, Calif.

“We call on USPS to pause all changes, pending a full study of this plan by its regulator,” the letter stated. “While USPS claims these changes overall will improve service while reducing costs, there is evidence to the contrary in locations where USPS has implemented changes so far. USPS must stop implementation, restore service in those areas where changes were implemented, and fully understand the nationwide effects of its plan on service and communities.”

“Delivering For America,” a 60-page, 10-year plan published by USPS, states the organization is optimizing mail and packaging processing capabilities as it lost $87 billion during the last 14 years.

“The Plan’s strategic initiatives are designed to reverse a projected $160 billion in losses over the next ten years by achieving break-even operating performance,” according to the publication.

Changes in how people use the Postal Service resulted in costly inefficiencies, according to the plan.

“Our processing network was originally designed to meet the demands of a robust, and ever-growing mail market,” the plan stated. “Similarly, our facilities were located geographically and set up operationally to facilitate the timely and efficient processing of mail. As mail volume has decreased, our machines and facilities have been left under-utilized, leaving us with a physical network infrastructure that does not correspond to the current and projected needs of our customers.”

In addition to the senators from Nevada, senators from Arizona, Colorado, Maine, Michigan, Montana, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia and Wyoming also signed the letter. It highlighted problems associated with moving mail processing away from local communities and reductions in transporting mail, leaving mail sitting overnight in local offices.

“We are concerned about the impacts these changes have had so far, and the potential impacts that further changes could have,” the senators wrote. “In regions where USPS has implemented significant changes, on-time mail delivery has declined. In addition, it is not clear these changes will improve efficiency or costs. Despite these concerns, USPS has moved forward with announcing and approving additional facility changes across the country.”

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News from the South - Texas News Feed

Abbott directs state agencies to divest from investments originating from China | Texas

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www.thecentersquare.com – By Bethany Blankley | The Center Square contributor – 2024-11-21 19:24:00

SUMMARY: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has issued multiple directives to prepare for the upcoming legislative session focusing on threats from China. One executive order aims to protect Texans of Chinese descent from CCP operatives, while another orders state agencies to prepare for potential attacks on critical infrastructure. Abbott emphasized the need for divestment from Chinese investments due to financial risks associated with CCP aggression. He called for immediate evaluation and divestment of state funds in China, fostering collaboration with other governors to encourage investment alternatives. These measures follow discussions by a select committee exploring foreign threats to Texas’ economy and security.

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News from the South - Georgia News Feed

Study: AI and data centers could drive cost of energy up by 70% over 10 years | Virginia

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www.thecentersquare.com – By Morgan Sweeney | The Center Square – 2024-11-21 19:07:00

SUMMARY: A report by the Jack Kemp Foundation warns that average American energy bills could rise by 25% to 70% over the next decade due to soaring energy demands driven by AI, hyperscale data centers, and advanced manufacturing. The surge is straining the U.S. power grid, leading to significant price increases in capacity markets. Dominion Energy disputes these findings, predicting only a 2.5% annual increase in Virginia. The report argues for policy changes, including charging data centers more for energy and halting subsidies for their construction to alleviate the burden on consumers. Recommendations also include implementing minimum take clauses for utility contracts.

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News from the South - Florida News Feed

St. Petersburg City Council votes to repair Tropicana Field’s roof | Florida

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www.thecentersquare.com – By Steve Wilson | The Center Square – 2024-11-21 17:01:00

SUMMARY: The St. Petersburg City Council approved spending $55 million to repair Tropicana Field, including $26.3 million for roof replacement, after Hurricane Milton damaged it in October. Insurance and FEMA funds will cover some costs. However, Rays co-President Brian Auld doubts the repairs will be ready by 2026. The council delayed a vote on $333.5 million in bonds for a new $1.2 billion stadium, scheduled for 2028. The Rays argue the delay jeopardizes the project, having already spent $50 million. The team will play next season at George Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, paying $15 million to the Yankees.

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