Q: I remember that when first-class postage was raised from 46 cents to 49 cents, it was announced that the increase would be for two years. Then the price would revert to 46 cents. What’s happened with that?
—James L. DeLay, Fayetteville
A: The cost of a 49-cent stamp is "expected" to be reduced in April, a U.S. Postal Service spokeswoman told Q&A on the News in an email.
The USPS increased the price of a first-class stamp from 46 cents to 49 cents in January 2014 to help recover from financial losses suffered during the recession, but with the stipulation that the change would be temporary.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled in June 2015 that the rates shouldn’t be permanent, The Washington Post reported.
The Postal Regulatory Commission confirmed that last July, the Post reported, saying the USPS could recoup $1.1 billion.
“The continuation of the exigent pricing surcharge is critical to the Postal Service’s financial health,” USPS spokeswoman Katina Fields wrote. “An expiration of the surcharge … will reduce our revenues by approximately $2 billion each year, further worsening our already precarious financial situation.”
The price of a stamp is expected to be reduced to 47 cents, Stephen M. Kearney, executive director of the Alliance of Nonprofit Mailers, told Q&A on the News in an email.
Andy Johnston with Fast Copy News Service wrote this column. Do you have a question? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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