HomeMy WebLinkAboutr 10499 postal service protectionRESOLUTION No. 10499 (2014 Series)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO SUPPORTING THE POSTAL
SERVICE PROTECTION ACT
WHEREAS, the U.S. Postal Service is a vital component of this country's economic and
communications infrastructure handling and delivering 160 billion pieces of mail and generating
more than $65 billion in revenues annually, while receiving no taxpayer funding; and
WHEREAS, the mailing industry, which employs 8 million Americans, generates over
$1 trillion dollars annually, and represents approximately seven percent of the country's Gross
Domestic Product, depends on the U.S. Postal Service's invaluable mail processing, retail and
last -mile delivery networks 6 days a week; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Postal Service is the only private company or federal agency
required by Congress to pre -fund future retiree health benefits for 75 years, requiring $5.5 billion
dollars to be paid annually. In addition, the health benefits for postal retirees is fully funded with
billions of dollars in excess, so there is no need to require a crippling $5.5 billion additional
annual payment that is causing unnecessary service cuts; and
WHEREAS, protecting voting by mail, which is now commonplace in California, is
essential to our democracy; and
WHEREAS, the US Postal Service is the second largest employer of US Veterans in the
country with over 22% of its employees United States Veterans; and
WHEREAS, rural communities, many of which do not have access to the Internet,
remain dependent on the Postal Service for vital communications and for the shipment of goods;
and
WHEREAS, small businesses along with many Americans, particularly seniors, depend
on the Postal Service for receipt of their prescription drugs.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the San Luis Obispo City Council
urges Senator Barbara Boxer and Senator Dianne Feinstein to support postal reform legislation
that would 1) secure the continuance of 6 -day mail delivery; 2) stabilize the Postal Service's
finances by reforming or eliminating future retiree health financing policies that are crippling the
Postal Service's finances; 3) strengthen and protect the Postal Service's invaluable mail
processing, retail and last -mile delivery networks that together comprise a crucial part of the
nation's infrastructure; and 4) retain door -to -door delivery for 30 million plus households and
businesses; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the San Luis Obispo City Council transmits
copies of this resolution to Senator Barbara Boxer and Senator Dianne Feinstein, and to the
United States Postmaster General.
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Resolution No. 10499 (2014 Series)
Page 2
Upon motion of Council Member Ashbaugh, seconded by Vice Mayor Christianson, and
on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Council Members Ashbaugh, Carpenter and Smith, Vice Mayor
Christianson and Mayor Marx
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
The foregoing resolution was adopted this 18th day of February 2014.
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Mayor � Marx
ATTEST:
.r.4-&,on
A-Aihony J. M i
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO LORM:
�9nrlstme U
City Attorney