(Idaho State) At a time when the United States Postal Service (USPS) is under strain due to a lack of carriers and supply shortages, Idaho communities have reported struggles in conveying needs to the USPS and have experienced sudden and surprising post office closures. U.S. Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch and Representatives Russ Fulcher and Mike Simpson (all R-Idaho) introduced legislation in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives to improve access to local USPS post offices. The Mandating Advisable and Informed Locations and Solutions (MAILS) Act would require more community input before relocating a post office as well as encourage recommendations from municipalities to request additional post offices.
“Post offices remain a valued part of our communities and a respected means of sending goods and messages,” said Crapo. “The communities, especially rural towns across Idaho, that rely on local post offices must continue to have access to prompt, reliable and efficient service responsive to their needs.”