NM Senators Say Postal Plan Could Keep Rural Offices Open

U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today said he is glad that the U.S. Postal Service put forward a plan to keep open rural New Mexico post offices that were once identified for possible closure. In a letter today to Bingaman, the Postmaster General Patrick R. Donahoe said rather than closing down thousands of rural post offices, it is taking a new approach. Instead, it will consider reducing the number of hours rural post offices are open. Post offices are often the center of rural communities. I am glad that the U.S. Postal Service has decided against the wholesale closing of dozens of rural New Mexico post offices. As the Postal Service moves ahead with its new plan, I will be working to ensure that our rural communities continue to be adequately served.” Congress is working on legislation aimed at bringing long-term solvency to the financially strapped Postal Service.

"According to what USPS has released so far, the plan seems like a step toward helping rural post offices stay open, but we have yet to see the full proposal," said Udall. "The proof will be in the pudding, and their recipe is missing too many key ingredients right now to determine how it would turn out."