The Indiana Publisher

Page 5 May 2021 Staff Reports National Newspaper Association The Senate now has its version of the Postal Service Reform Act of 2021, thanks to the leader- ship of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. S. 1720 was introduced by HSGAC Chair Gary Peters, D-Michigan, and Ranking Member Rob Portman, R-Ohio, and 18 other co-sponsors. The bill is a mirror version of HR 3076 that cleared the House Oversight and Reform Committee earlier this month. It would pro- vide financial relief to the U.S. Postal Service by reforming retiree health benefit funds and also set up new public reporting requirements on mail service on-time delivery. The bill contains a provision cham- pioned by National Newspaper Association that would allow com- munity newspapers to increase the use of sample copies to recruit new readers. NNA Chair Brett Wesner, president of Wesner Publications, Cordell, Oklahoma, said NNA was heartened by the strong bipartisan demon- stration of support. "For the first time in a decade, we have a real- istic hope of support from Congress for universal mail delivery," Wesner said. "This bill would correct a problem created in 2006 when Congress unrealistically expected USPS to set aside billions of dollars for future retiree benefits and would use Medicare benefits that mailers have supported through postage payments to make sure retirees are on the most cost-effec- tive health care program. For com- munity newspapers, the opportunity to regain subscribers that we have lost through service disruptions over the past few years will be a welcome indicator from the Postal Service and Congress that news- papers in the mail are important to American civic life and literacy." Neither bill contains limita- tions on postage rate increases, to the disappointment of the mailing industry. The Postal Regulatory Commission has given USPS authority to impose substantial postage increases this year. "We hope that reform of the onerous employee benefits obliga- tions will remove a substantial amount of the pressure on postal finances," Wesner said. "One aspect of the anticipated postage increases was to cover retiree health costs. Once Congress comes up with a more rational payment system for those costs, we expect both USPS and the PRC to recognize a need to dial back the plans for big postage increases." The House bill is await- ing action by Ways and Means Committee, which oversees the Medicare program, and Energy and Commerce Committee, which oversees transportation aspects of postal legislation. Wesner said he looked forward to quick action in the Senate to send its bill to the floor and clear- ance for floor action in the House before the Congressional July recess. Senate to consider Postal Service Reform Act of 2021 For the first time in a decade, we have a realistic hope of support from Congress for universal mail delivery." — Brett Wesner chair, National Newspaper Association The Nina Mason Pulliam Environmental Journalism Award was created through a grant by the Pulliam Trust to the Hoosier State Press Association Foundation to recognize Indiana journalists for outstanding reporting on environ- mental issues. The award was part of the HSPA Better Newspaper Contest for the first time in 2018. The 2021 recipient will be honored this year along with the other BNC award winners. Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust $1,000 Environmental Journalism Award Hoosier State Press Association Foundation

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