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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 - Georgia News Feed

Staffing a challenge for Georgia’s prisons, commissioner says | Georgia

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www.thecentersquare.com – By Kim Jarrett | The Center Square – 2024-11-14 10:00:00

SUMMARY: Georgia’s prison system faces significant challenges in hiring and retaining employees, as stated by Department of Corrections Commissioner Tyrone Oliver. Although there are many applicants, 80% fail to complete the application process due to issues like no-shows and poor interviews. Georgia’s salaries lag behind neighboring states, prompting discussions about potential salary increases in the context of a $1.5 billion budget. Currently, prisons are operating at 93% capacity, with a recidivism rate of over 26%, which drops to 13.64% for inmates completing vocational programs. An assessment of the system is due in December, with further committee meetings planned.

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News from the South - Texas News Feed

Texas officers apprehend human smugglers, rescue unaccompanied children | Texas

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www.thecentersquare.com – By Bethany Blankley | The Center Square contributor – 2024-11-14 09:56:00

SUMMARY: Texas DPS troopers are actively apprehending human smugglers and rescuing unaccompanied minors along the border through Operation Lone Star. Recent arrests included a smuggler leading a vehicle chase, multiple apprehensions of Mexican nationals, and discovery of individuals hiding in vehicle gas tanks. Notably, a TikTok video helped locate a coyote guiding migrants. Troopers stopped a group of 114 illegal crossers, including 13 minors, while efforts have led to over 900 rescues of unaccompanied children since Biden took office. The operation has resulted in over 525,800 illegal border crossers apprehended and a significant decrease in illegal crossings by 51%.

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News from the South - Louisiana News Feed

Louisiana Congressional seats cost less in 2024 election cycle | Louisiana

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www.thecentersquare.com – By Jacob Mathews | The Center Square – 2024-11-14 07:00:00

SUMMARY: In Louisiana’s recent congressional elections, five incumbents faced poorly-funded opponents, leading to a decline in average campaign expenditures. The Federal Election Commission tracks financial activity from January 1 until mid-October. Incumbent U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise received $13.5 million and spent $14.3 million, lower than previous cycles. Rep. Troy Carter raised $1.8 million and spent $1.4 million, also down from 2022. U.S. Rep. Clay Higgins maintained stable spending patterns, while House Speaker Mike Johnson’s financial activity saw a significant boost, raising $17.4 million. Voter turnout was notably down in 2024, reflecting a broader trend alongside decreased campaign spending.

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