Washington, D.C. – Taxpayers for Common Sense, an independent budget watchdog, today criticized the U.S. Postal Service for raising postage prices, calling it a “major tax increase on working-people and small business.” Today’s announcement of a 3-cent increase by the Postal Rate Commission represents one of the single largest increases in first class mail in many years.

“Behind closed doors, the U.S. Post Office made a sweetheart deal with its largest corporate customers to hold down costs at the expense of hard working Americans,” stated Joe Theissen, Executive Director of Taxpayers for Common Sense. “The Postal Service seems more concerned with meeting the needs of its largest corporate customers than supporting it loyal customers, the American taxpayer.”

In secret meetings between the Postal Rate Commission and the Postal Service’s largest customers was where the postal hike was approved. Representatives of average Americans, who do not qualify for sweetheart deals with the Postal Service, were not in attendance.

“Rather than cutting costs by disposing of surplus property and closing under-used facilities and reducing other expenses, the Postal Service, once again, chose to make average Americans shoulder the cost of their rampant mismanagement. Congress should step in and void this increase and at the same time force the Postal Service to cut costs and reform itself,” continued Theissen.

Not everyone can afford or chooses to use e-mail or alternatives to “snail mail.” At a minimum, the Rate Commission should not be allowed to increase rates before hearing from ordinary taxpayers. TCS calls on Congress and President Bush to express outrage with this proposal and to demand that the Postal Service weigh the interests of all its customers, not just big corporate customers.

The decision today will mean that a cost of a first-class stamp will rise 3 cents to 37 cents.