SENATE BILL: POSTAL REFORM IS NEEDED ACT (Passed)

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

SENATE BILL
To help the postal service

Be it enacted by the Congress of the Republic of Atlasia assembled

POSTAL REFORM IS NEEDED ACT

SECTION I: TITLE

1. This law shall be referred to as the Postal Reform is Needed Act.

SECTION II: FREEDOM OF PERSONAL CHOICES

a. The lawful carry of firearms onto Post Office property shall not be prohibited. 39 CFR 232.1 shall be amended accordingly.

b. The regulation prohibiting the mere wearing of a Postal uniform by a non-actor is hereby eliminated. 18 USC 1730 shall be amended accordingly.

SECTION III: SOLVENCY PROPOSALS
a. Mail delivery service shall be discontinued on Saturdays. This shall not affect delivery of packages on Saturdays. 118 Stat. 3264 shall be amended accordingly.
b. The price of a First Class Stamp shall be increased to $0.55.
c. The Postal Service shall be permitted to sell advertising space on the sides of Postal Delivery Vehicles.
d. The Postal Service Community Financial Lending Act is hereby repealed. Any unspent funds appropriated under this act are hereby rescinded except for those funds necessary to pay for the administrative expenses of winding down the program. Title XXXI of the Code of Atlasia shall be amended accordingly.
e. National, Regional, and State political committees shall be ineligible to receive reduced mailing rates reserved for other non-profit organizations. 39 U.S.C. § 3626 shall be amended accordingly.

SECTION IV: CELEBRATE OUR STATES COMMEMORATIVE STAMP ACT
a. The Postal Reform Act, Section IV shall be amended accordingly:

1. A Commemorative Stamp Program is hereby authorized to honor each State in Atlasia. Beginning January 2nd, 20210 a new forever stamp shall be released honoring an Atlasian State, beginning with Alabama and proceeding therefrom alphabetically every two months until all States have been honored.
2. Each stamp shall include the name of the State being honored, and an image of a famous person from the State being honored. The famous person to be honored by each State shall be chosen in the following way:
     a. If a Regional legislature passes a law agreeing to participate in the program by January 2nd, 202019, the Regional legislature may choose the method for selecting the famous person to be honored.
     b. If a Regional legislature fails to pass a law agreeing to participate in the program by January 2nd, 202019, the President may choose the method for selecting the famous person to be honored.
3. The design for each Stamp shall be approved by the Citizen’s Stamp Advisory Committee

SECTION V: EFFECTIVE DATE

1. This act shall take effect immediately. No lawsuit to enforce the provisions of the law shall be justiciable in any federal or Regional court until 90 days after this law takes effect.

People's Regional Senate
Pending

Sponsor: Senator Vern1988
Senate Designation: SB 18:21

[Pericles]

This bill is generally a bad idea. First of all, 2a is already law, see the Postal Reform Act, "2. The lawful carry of firearms onto Post Office property shall not be prohibited. The carry of firearms into Post Office buildings shall remain illegal. 39 CFR 232.1 shall be amended accordingly.". I'm unsure about 2b, perhaps it should be changed to ensure that people do not impersonate postal officers. I'm fine with Section 4, section 3 is very problematic imo. Postal banking is a good thing that helps provide access to banking services and without it people are more vulnerable to loan sharks. Our great President-Elect summarized why the first attempt at these reforms was a terrible idea, this should be required reading. It is more harm than it is worth to cut Saturday delivery and delay people's mail, disrupting people's lives and commerce. Bare in mind these proposed reforms also caused thousands of postal workers to march on Nyman last time (link), the people who know best said " cause "massively inferior service" as a result of budget cuts and the proposed abolition of Saturday mail service." and therefore "Travis Neal Fraser, the president of the Atlasian Postal Workers' Union, said the union would opt out of their current contract with the government and call an immediate strike in the event the Postal Reform bill becomes law."-this is a likely consequence of this bill passing.  Further reading of Griff's teachings also persuasively shows that 3e is harmful and will lead to more corporate political influence when we should be moving in the opposite direction. 3b I'm unsure about and would like to know what the current price is and potentially what impacts this would have, I am not a stamp collector after all. If I were in the Senate, I would vote down this bill in its current form and would at the very least drastically amend it to it only included an amended 2b and section 4, while I think I'd keep 3c and am unsure what should be done with 3b.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Can we get an estimate on what the current state of the Postal Services finances are, especially after the bill I recall signing last year (I did sign a bill on this right?) and the impact that it had?

[Pericles]

Can we get an estimate on what the current state of the Postal Services finances are, especially after the bill I recall signing last year (I did sign a bill on this right?) and the impact that it had?

You did (though your signature doesn't actually appear, I think due to the images issue).

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Well copyright stupidity aside, I think the best way to judge a need for this bill even or what elements are needed is to ascertain the level of improvement obtained from last year's bill and what the projections going forward from that bill are down the road.

[ON Progressive]

Discontinuing Saturday mail is an absolutely terrible idea. I can’t support this bill for this reason.

[Mr. Reactionary]

Discontinuing Saturday mail is an absolutely terrible idea. I can’t support this bill for this reason.

Sestak brought up the idea of discontinuing mail on a weekday so that we arent more than 1 day without mail. Is that more reasonable?

[Vern]

Honestly, this is the 21st century, outside of business, who still mail things?!? But any-who, I did this on the behalf of a citizen, so I’m ok with changing things to get this passed.

[Mr. Reactionary]

This bill is generally a bad idea. First of all, 2a is already law, see the Postal Reform Act, "2. The lawful carry of firearms onto Post Office property shall not be prohibited. The carry of firearms into Post Office buildings shall remain illegal. 39 CFR 232.1 shall be amended accordingly.". I'm unsure about 2b, perhaps it should be changed to ensure that people do not impersonate postal officers. I'm fine with Section 4, section 3 is very problematic imo. Postal banking is a good thing that helps provide access to banking services and without it people are more vulnerable to loan sharks. Our great President-Elect summarized why the first attempt at these reforms was a terrible idea, this should be required reading. It is more harm than it is worth to cut Saturday delivery and delay people's mail, disrupting people's lives and commerce. Bare in mind these proposed reforms also caused thousands of postal workers to march on Nyman last time (link), the people who know best said " cause "massively inferior service" as a result of budget cuts and the proposed abolition of Saturday mail service." and therefore "Travis Neal Fraser, the president of the Atlasian Postal Workers' Union, said the union would opt out of their current contract with the government and call an immediate strike in the event the Postal Reform bill becomes law."-this is a likely consequence of this bill passing.  Further reading of Griff's teachings also persuasively shows that 3e is harmful and will lead to more corporate political influence when we should be moving in the opposite direction. 3b I'm unsure about and would like to know what the current price is and potentially what impacts this would have, I am not a stamp collector after all. If I were in the Senate, I would vote down this bill in its current form and would at the very least drastically amend it to it only included an amended 2b and section 4, while I think I'd keep 3c and am unsure what should be done with 3b.

2A amends existing law because it eliminates the ban on carrying inside post offices. The current law only protects parking lots.

As to the high interest postal payday loans, they are nowhere near as consumer friendly as you think, especially since last year the profits were directed to fund one of your unfunded programs and the revenue Enhancement act increased the efficiency of federal debt collection.

[Pericles]

This bill is generally a bad idea. First of all, 2a is already law, see the Postal Reform Act, "2. The lawful carry of firearms onto Post Office property shall not be prohibited. The carry of firearms into Post Office buildings shall remain illegal. 39 CFR 232.1 shall be amended accordingly.". I'm unsure about 2b, perhaps it should be changed to ensure that people do not impersonate postal officers. I'm fine with Section 4, section 3 is very problematic imo. Postal banking is a good thing that helps provide access to banking services and without it people are more vulnerable to loan sharks. Our great President-Elect summarized why the first attempt at these reforms was a terrible idea, this should be required reading. It is more harm than it is worth to cut Saturday delivery and delay people's mail, disrupting people's lives and commerce. Bare in mind these proposed reforms also caused thousands of postal workers to march on Nyman last time (link), the people who know best said " cause "massively inferior service" as a result of budget cuts and the proposed abolition of Saturday mail service." and therefore "Travis Neal Fraser, the president of the Atlasian Postal Workers' Union, said the union would opt out of their current contract with the government and call an immediate strike in the event the Postal Reform bill becomes law."-this is a likely consequence of this bill passing.  Further reading of Griff's teachings also persuasively shows that 3e is harmful and will lead to more corporate political influence when we should be moving in the opposite direction. 3b I'm unsure about and would like to know what the current price is and potentially what impacts this would have, I am not a stamp collector after all. If I were in the Senate, I would vote down this bill in its current form and would at the very least drastically amend it to it only included an amended 2b and section 4, while I think I'd keep 3c and am unsure what should be done with 3b.

2A amends existing law because it eliminates the ban on carrying inside post offices. The current law only protects parking lots.

As to the high interest postal payday loans, they are nowhere near as consumer friendly as you think, especially since last year the profits were directed to fund one of your unfunded programs and the revenue Enhancement act increased the efficiency of federal debt collection.

Wouldn't it make more sense to amend federal law to improve a good but flawed postal banking system, rather than making the situation worse due to it being imperfect?

And in that case I'd have to oppose that too, parking lots is far enough, there's no need for guns in post offices and it creates public safety risks beyond any benefit it may provide (it's not that hard to leave your gun in a locked car, it's not like you even have to put your precious guns in a box when you enter the post office). The current law is an acceptable compromise in this area.

[Mr. Reactionary]

This bill is generally a bad idea. First of all, 2a is already law, see the Postal Reform Act, "2. The lawful carry of firearms onto Post Office property shall not be prohibited. The carry of firearms into Post Office buildings shall remain illegal. 39 CFR 232.1 shall be amended accordingly.". I'm unsure about 2b, perhaps it should be changed to ensure that people do not impersonate postal officers. I'm fine with Section 4, section 3 is very problematic imo. Postal banking is a good thing that helps provide access to banking services and without it people are more vulnerable to loan sharks. Our great President-Elect summarized why the first attempt at these reforms was a terrible idea, this should be required reading. It is more harm than it is worth to cut Saturday delivery and delay people's mail, disrupting people's lives and commerce. Bare in mind these proposed reforms also caused thousands of postal workers to march on Nyman last time (link), the people who know best said " cause "massively inferior service" as a result of budget cuts and the proposed abolition of Saturday mail service." and therefore "Travis Neal Fraser, the president of the Atlasian Postal Workers' Union, said the union would opt out of their current contract with the government and call an immediate strike in the event the Postal Reform bill becomes law."-this is a likely consequence of this bill passing.  Further reading of Griff's teachings also persuasively shows that 3e is harmful and will lead to more corporate political influence when we should be moving in the opposite direction. 3b I'm unsure about and would like to know what the current price is and potentially what impacts this would have, I am not a stamp collector after all. If I were in the Senate, I would vote down this bill in its current form and would at the very least drastically amend it to it only included an amended 2b and section 4, while I think I'd keep 3c and am unsure what should be done with 3b.

2A amends existing law because it eliminates the ban on carrying inside post offices. The current law only protects parking lots.

As to the high interest postal payday loans, they are nowhere near as consumer friendly as you think, especially since last year the profits were directed to fund one of your unfunded programs and the revenue Enhancement act increased the efficiency of federal debt collection.

Wouldn't it make more sense to amend federal law to improve a good but flawed postal banking system, rather than making the situation worse due to it being imperfect?

Again, that assumes government banks cloaked in special authority is somehow good in the first place, which its not.

I did laugh reading your reference to your master's "teachings" ... are you holding him out as a cult leader or something? You are literally quoting floor debate as though its part of the secret knowledge in the Gospel of Griff or something. And its just to try and justify a literal subsidy for big political parties that already have money.

[Devout Centrist]

Again, that assumes government banks cloaked in special authority is somehow good in the first place, which its not.

Postal banking would fill a clear need in so-called banking deserts, neighborhoods that lack adequate banking services. In these areas, payday loans providers control the lion's share of commercial loans; local residents lack access to everyday banking services. Obviously, there's risk for corruption and graft, but with proper oversight and auditing, this risk can be minimized.

Indeed, post offices used to provide savings accounts. They only ceased to do so in 1967, as demand for their services fell. Currently, there's a greater need for such services than in the past. The post office can step up and fill the gap.

Postal banking would work well in low income communities. Oftentimes, the poor are cash rich and lack means to save their income. This puts them at greater risk of theft or abuse by predatory lenders in the grey market.

Here's a link to a solid essay on the benefits of postal banking. There are definitely logistical problems that must be address before postal banking is introduced, but there's an argument for the post office providing banking services.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Again, that assumes government banks cloaked in special authority is somehow good in the first place, which its not.

Postal banking would fill a clear need in so-called banking deserts, neighborhoods that lack adequate banking services. In these areas, payday loans providers control the lion's share of commercial loans; local residents lack access to everyday banking services. Obviously, there's risk for corruption and graft, but with proper oversight and auditing, this risk can be minimized.

Indeed, post offices used to provide savings accounts. They only ceased to do so in 1967, as demand for their services fell. Currently, there's a greater need for such services than in the past. The post office can step up and fill the gap.

Postal banking would work well in low income communities. Oftentimes, the poor are cash rich and lack means to save their income. This puts them at greater risk of theft or abuse by predatory lenders in the grey market.

Here's a link to a solid essay on the benefits of postal banking. There are definitely logistical problems that must be address before postal banking is introduced, but there's an argument for the post office providing banking services.

Would you compare it to the food desserts that were being talked about a lot back in 2014? Where poor communities only have access to convenience stores and fast food, all of which is rather unhealthy.

[Devout Centrist]

Broadly speaking, yes. The only difference is, banking deserts are served by payday loan establishments and paycheck advancement services instead.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

SENATE BILL
To help the postal service

Be it enacted by the Congress of the Republic of Atlasia assembled

POSTAL REFORM IS NEEDED ACT

SECTION I: TITLE

1. This law shall be referred to as the Postal Reform is Needed Act.

SECTION II: FREEDOM OF PERSONAL CHOICES

a. The lawful carry of firearms onto Post Office property shall not be prohibited. 39 CFR 232.1 shall be amended accordingly.

b. The regulation prohibiting the mere wearing of a Postal uniform by a non-actor is hereby eliminated. 18 USC 1730 shall be amended accordingly.

SECTION III: SOLVENCY PROPOSALS
a. Mail delivery service shall be discontinued on Saturdays. This shall not affect delivery of packages on Saturdays. 118 Stat. 3264 shall be amended accordingly.
b. The price of a First Class Stamp shall be increased to $0.55.
c. The Postal Service shall be permitted to sell advertising space on the sides of Postal Delivery Vehicles.
d. The Postal Service Community Financial Lending Act is hereby repealed. Any unspent funds appropriated under this act are hereby rescinded except for those funds necessary to pay for the administrative expenses of winding down the program. Title XXXI of the Code of Atlasia shall be amended accordingly.
e. National, Regional, and State political committees shall be ineligible to receive reduced mailing rates reserved for other non-profit organizations. 39 U.S.C. § 3626 shall be amended accordingly.

SECTION IV: CELEBRATE OUR STATES COMMEMORATIVE STAMP ACT
a. The Postal Reform Act, Section IV shall be amended accordingly:

1. A Commemorative Stamp Program is hereby authorized to honor each State in Atlasia. Beginning January 2nd, 20210 a new forever stamp shall be released honoring an Atlasian State, beginning with Alabama and proceeding therefrom alphabetically every two months until all States have been honored.
2. Each stamp shall include the name of the State being honored, and an image of a famous person from the State being honored. The famous person to be honored by each State shall be chosen in the following way:
     a. If a Regional legislature passes a law agreeing to participate in the program by January 2nd, 202019, the Regional legislature may choose the method for selecting the famous person to be honored.
     b. If a Regional legislature fails to pass a law agreeing to participate in the program by January 2nd, 202019, the President may choose the method for selecting the famous person to be honored.
3. The design for each Stamp shall be approved by the Citizen’s Stamp Advisory Committee

SECTION V: EFFECTIVE DATE

1. This act shall take effect immediately. No lawsuit to enforce the provisions of the law shall be justiciable in any federal or Regional court until 90 days after this law takes effect.

People's Regional Senate
Pending

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Sponsor Feedback?

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

SENATE BILL
To help the postal service

Be it enacted by the Congress of the Republic of Atlasia assembled

POSTAL REFORM IS NEEDED ACT

SECTION I: TITLE

1. This law shall be referred to as the Postal Reform is Needed Act.

SECTION II: FREEDOM OF PERSONAL CHOICES

a. The lawful carry of firearms onto Post Office property shall not be prohibited. 39 CFR 232.1 shall be amended accordingly.

b. The regulation prohibiting the mere wearing of a Postal uniform by a non-actor is hereby eliminated. 18 USC 1730 shall be amended accordingly.

SECTION III: SOLVENCY PROPOSALS
a. Mail delivery service shall be discontinued on Saturdays. This shall not affect delivery of packages on Saturdays. 118 Stat. 3264 shall be amended accordingly.
b. The price of a First Class Stamp shall be increased to $0.55.
c. The Postal Service shall be permitted to sell advertising space on the sides of Postal Delivery Vehicles.
d. The Postal Service Community Financial Lending Act is hereby repealed. Any unspent funds appropriated under this act are hereby rescinded except for those funds necessary to pay for the administrative expenses of winding down the program. Title XXXI of the Code of Atlasia shall be amended accordingly.
e. National, Regional, and State political committees shall be ineligible to receive reduced mailing rates reserved for other non-profit organizations. 39 U.S.C. § 3626 shall be amended accordingly.

SECTION IV: CELEBRATE OUR STATES COMMEMORATIVE STAMP ACT
a. The Postal Reform Act, Section IV shall be amended accordingly:

1. A Commemorative Stamp Program is hereby authorized to honor each State in Atlasia. Beginning January 2nd, 20210 a new forever stamp shall be released honoring an Atlasian State, beginning with Alabama and proceeding therefrom alphabetically every two months until all States have been honored.
2. Each stamp shall include the name of the State being honored, and an image of a famous person from the State being honored. The famous person to be honored by each State shall be chosen in the following way:
     a. If a Regional legislature passes a law agreeing to participate in the program by January 2nd, 202019, the Regional legislature may choose the method for selecting the famous person to be honored.
     b. If a Regional legislature fails to pass a law agreeing to participate in the program by January 2nd, 202019, the President may choose the method for selecting the famous person to be honored.
3. The design for each Stamp shall be approved by the Citizen’s Stamp Advisory Committee

SECTION V: EFFECTIVE DATE

1. This act shall take effect immediately. No lawsuit to enforce the provisions of the law shall be justiciable in any federal or Regional court until 90 days after this law takes effect.

People's Regional Senate
Pending

Sponsor Feedback: None Given
Status: This amendment is now at vote, Senators please vote Aye, Nay or Abstain.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

AYE

[Vern]

Aye, sorry for no feedback:(

[ON Progressive]

Aye

[Devout Centrist]

Aye

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Vote on Amendment S18:21 by NC Yankee

Aye (4): Devout Centrist, NC Yankee, OntarioProgressive and Vern1988
Nay (0):
Abstain (0):

Didn't Vote (2): Comrade LT

The amendment has been adopted.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

SENATE BILL
To help the postal service

Be it enacted by the Congress of the Republic of Atlasia assembled

POSTAL REFORM IS NEEDED ACT

SECTION I: TITLE

1. This law shall be referred to as the Postal Reform is Needed Act.

SECTION II: FREEDOM OF PERSONAL CHOICES

a. The lawful carry of firearms onto Post Office property shall not be prohibited. 39 CFR 232.1 shall be amended accordingly.

b. The regulation prohibiting the mere wearing of a Postal uniform by a non-actor is hereby eliminated. 18 USC 1730 shall be amended accordingly.

SECTION III: SOLVENCY PROPOSALS
a. Mail delivery service shall be discontinued on Saturdays. This shall not affect delivery of packages on Saturdays. 118 Stat. 3264 shall be amended accordingly.
b. The price of a First Class Stamp shall be increased to $0.55.
c. The Postal Service shall be permitted to sell advertising space on the sides of Postal Delivery Vehicles.
d. National, Regional, and State political committees shall be ineligible to receive reduced mailing rates reserved for other non-profit organizations. 39 U.S.C. § 3626 shall be amended accordingly.

SECTION IV: CELEBRATE OUR STATES COMMEMORATIVE STAMP ACT
a. The Postal Reform Act, Section IV shall be amended accordingly:

1. A Commemorative Stamp Program is hereby authorized to honor each State in Atlasia. Beginning January 2nd, 20210 a new forever stamp shall be released honoring an Atlasian State, beginning with Alabama and proceeding therefrom alphabetically every two months until all States have been honored.
2. Each stamp shall include the name of the State being honored, and an image of a famous person from the State being honored. The famous person to be honored by each State shall be chosen in the following way:
     a. If a Regional legislature passes a law agreeing to participate in the program by January 2nd, 202019, the Regional legislature may choose the method for selecting the famous person to be honored.
     b. If a Regional legislature fails to pass a law agreeing to participate in the program by January 2nd, 202019, the President may choose the method for selecting the famous person to be honored.
3. The design for each Stamp shall be approved by the Citizen’s Stamp Advisory Committee

SECTION V: EFFECTIVE DATE

1. This act shall take effect immediately. No lawsuit to enforce the provisions of the law shall be justiciable in any federal or Regional court until 90 days after this law takes effect.

People's Regional Senate
Pending

[At-Large Senator LouisvilleThunder]

Aye ftr

[Devout Centrist]

I'm still concerned about ending Saturday delivery and allowing advertising on the side of postal vehicles. Would the sponsor accept an amendment that strikes those two provisions? I'd be willing to negotiate.