Postal Affairs
Love Some Good News: Postal Reform Action Moves to the Senate
by Sarah Moe Meyers
Chair, GCA Postal Affairs Committee
The good news is that Senator Tom Carper (D-DE) has re-engaged in the fight for postal reform. Senator Carper helped pass the 2006 reform law and is acknowledged as the leading expert on postal issues in the Senate. In cooperation with Senators Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) and Jerry Moran (R-KS), he has crafted a reform bill based on H.R. 756 called iPOST that has not only brought on board the last remaining holdouts in the stakeholder community, but also includes a provision to offset the cost of Medicare integration while maintaining the requirement to fully pre-fund retiree healthcare costs, a key issue for the House Republican leadership.
Senator Carper and his colleagues are in final discussions with the key stakeholder groups to finalize the bill and intend to introduce it under special rules which will enable the bill to bypass the normal committee referral process and be eligible for immediate floor consideration. Senator Carper would love us to be part of massive outpouring of support for the bill to coincide with the introduction effort.
However, despite the effort by a large number of stakeholders to prompt action in the House of Representatives, there has been little love for H.R. 756. The bill has been beset by external challenges including the retirement of two oversight committee chairmen and a series of artificial crises as Republicans and Democrats engage in repeated threats to shut down the government. The cost of the bill to Medicare remains an issue for Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX).
With the rate decision by the Postal Regulatory Commission looming in April that could increase rates up to 28% over the next five years taking the price to mail a card up to 64 cents, I encourage you consider the impact this might have on your business.
Show Your Love
Click here to show your love for your industry, and the men and women of the Postal Service who deliver more than half of the nation’s greeting cards and tell your elected officials to pass postal reform. The headwinds of political gridlock and higher profile issues are strong, but we can overcome them with a little love and a lot of perseverance.
GCA Associates Committee
GCA Associate Members Display Latest Products at AmericasMart™
by Phil St. Germain, Chair
J.S. McCarthy Printers
GCA Associates were excited to participate once again with table top displays during the GCA reception at the Atlanta Gift Show, also known as AmericasMart™. With great food in a great, new space, it was fun and we hope informative as well. Associate members have been doing various print jobs for the LOUIE Awards (and we’re excited about the new LOUIE Awards “bash,” – we know the all-new format, venue, more affordable price – and everyone’s participation will make it a great success. Thank you to FRG Fixture Resource Group, J.S. McCarthy, Leader Paper Products, National Stationery Show and Neenah Paper for their contributions to creating materials for the LOUIE Awards.
Communications and PR Committee
GCA Industry Survey Final Appeal
by Dave Phipps, Chair
Avanti Press
Thank you to everyone who participated in the GCA’s Annual Industry Survey — and for sharing the link with your networks. If you have yet to participate, please take 15 minutes (or fewer) to take the survey. Everyone who completes the survey will receive full results and an analysis, absolutely free.
And a big thank you to Nicky Burton (Calypso Cards) for her work to bring “Thinking of You Week” to GCA members and retailers later this summer. We look forward to sharing details with you about this exciting initiative!
If you are interested in joining a Committee, contact GCA Executive Director Peter Doherty.