In life, only three things can be certain: death, taxes, and job security at the U.S. Postal Service. But, unless the beleaguered agency keeps its labor costs under control, taxes and stamp prices will probably have to be increased to pay for Postal “lifers.” With another lopsided deal with a major employee union, the USPS has signaled to taxpayers and consumers that it has little interest in reining in expenses. The agency will run out of cash by 2024, absent significant reforms and better deals made by leadership. Millions of mail consumers deserve better than a Postal Service that values excuses and passing the buck over much-needed comprehensive reforms.

There is no shortage of misinformation about the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), a beleaguered agency that lost $8.8 billion last year and has more than $160 billion in unfunded liabilities. Since Postmaster General Louis DeJoy assumed leadership of the agency on June 15, former Presidents, lawmakers, and even famed musicians have alleged that there’s a conspiracy to hobble the USPS. Fortunately, there’s no evidence that’s the case. While USPS leadership could’ve certainly done a better job of communicating postal policy changes, the changes over the past two months are continuations – and sometimes accelerations – of longstanding changes at the USPS. And, until more comprehensive reforms are undertaken, the agency will continue to bleed red ink and function inefficiently ahead of the 2020 election. To keep taxpayers, voters, and postal consumers in the know, the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) has answered some key questions about the state of the USPS.