Dear newspaper publishers: About those postal rate hikes

Per the poll at top right, let's dig in.

First, I know the periodicals mail rate hikes aren't likely to fully stand as is. But, they're likely to at least 50 percent stand. The old days are over. (Note that first-class mail, for the first ounce, faces approximately the same hike.)

So, per that poll, if this truly improves service on out-of-county delivery, will you accept it?

That said, in challenging the Postal Regulatory Commission, what will they actually do with that nearly 7 percent other than just cut a deficit?

Third, are you continuing to challenge Congress to end the pension prefunding requirement? (Actually bipartisan legislation could do just that, but Postmaster General Louis DeJoy facing a subpoena over campaign finance violations at a former private business of his could screw the pooch.) If not, why not?

Unfortunately, no amount of Googling will reveal the cost to mail newspapers as a percentage of a non-dailiy newspaper's overall expenses. 

I know from my own experience as an editor-publisher at two small papers, though, that mailing expenses are not THAT much of a newspaper's overall budget.