Late Monday Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) met with United States Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe to make the strongest case to keep the United States Postal Service (USPS) mail processing facility in Buffalo open.
"From the onset the Postmaster has indicated that the closing list was 'fairly set' and over the last several months we've become increasingly frustrated with the lack of justification and transparency in the USPS process," said Higgins. "But, we don't ever give up on Western New York. Buffalo deserves to be heard and we took our fight to the top."
Higgins believes a legislative strategy may be the best way to address USPS budgetary issues leading to the postal facility closings nationwide. Last week Higgins, along with his Western New York Colleagues Congresswoman Slaughter and Congresswoman Hochul, sent a letter to the Speaker of the House urging swift action on legislation to remove the pension prefunding requirement. Congressman Higgins is also working on other legislative means to protect the American public from unilateral action by the USPS that negatively impacts residential and business Postal Service customers. The Congressman plans to introduce legislation requiring Congressional approval for USPS changes to service delivery standards and facility closings.
Below is a timeline of Congressman Higgins’ efforts related to the slated closing of Buffalo’s facility:
September 15, 2011: USPS Lists Buffalo on Closing List: Statement from Congressman Higgins
September 27, 2011: Higgins Attends WNY’s Save America’s Post Office Rally
October 4, 2011: Higgins & Slaughter Ask Postmaster to Take Buffalo Off List
October 13, 2011: Higgins Office Tours Buffalo Plant
January 4, 2012: Higgins Testifies at Public Hearing
January 4, 2012: Higgins Sends FOIA Request to USPS
January 10, 2012: As Follow-up to Public Hearing, Higgins Asks for Transcript, More Details from USPS
January 12, 2012: Congressman Higgins Requests Meeting with U.S. Postmaster General
January 19, 2012: Statement from Congressman Brian Higgins on William Street Mail Facility Job Posting
January 19, 2012: Western New Yorkers Say: Closing of Buffalo Mail Processing Facility is Bad for Business
January 20, 2012: Higgins Says Buffalo Mail Facility Closing Violates National Environmental Policy Act
January 26, 2012: Congressman Lynch Joins Higgins in Fight Against Closing of Buffalo Mail Processing Facility
February 23, 2012: Statement by Congressman Higgins On USPS Announcement
February 24, 2012: Higgins, Slaughter & Hochul Push for House Action on Bill Lifting Pension Prefunding
ShareThis