The National Newspaper Association expressed concern last week over new postal rates slated for July.

The proposed periodicals rate increase amounts to an almost 10 percent bump for community newspapers already paying high rates for subpar service, the NNA said. This rate increase means newspapers would be paying about 50 percent more for postage than three years ago.

The United States Postal Service is allowed to raise rates without direct approval by the Postal Regulatory Commission, with only some review by the commission for illegalities and errors. 

This is the second increase in 2024, following a pattern of twice-a-year price hikes under Postmaster General Louis DeJoy with his “Delivering for America” plan.

“The model of continuing to raise rates while providing intensely bad service is becoming increasingly problematic for newspapers and our readers around the country,” said NNA Chair John Galer of The Journal-News in Hillsboro. “The delays hinder our customers from receiving timely information.”

The NNA is collaborating with members of Congress to require more accountability through improved regulation and data gathering. It urges the public to contact their Congressional delegations and U.S. senators to bring further attention to the situation.

To contact your legislators on this issue, call U.S. Rep. Mike Bost’s office at 202-225-5661, or U.S. senators Dick Durbin at 202-224-2152 and/or Tammy Duckworth at 202-224-2854.