The U.S. Postal Service has announced plans to raise mailing prices this summer, pending approval from federal regulators. If the proposal is accepted, the price of a First-Class Forever stamp would increase from 78 cents to 82 cents, effective July 12.
Other changes include a rise in the cost of a metered one-ounce letter from 74 to 78 cents and an increase for domestic postcards from 61 to 65 cents. Additionally, international postcards and one-ounce international letters would each see a price increase from $1.70 to $1.75.
The Postal Service cited a severe financial crisis and rising operating costs as reasons for the proposed increases. It noted that it does not receive tax dollars for its operations and relies on postage sales and services to fund its activities. The new rates must be reviewed by the Postal Regulatory Commission before they can take effect.
Richardson residents and businesses would be affected by these higher rates in July, along with mailers across the country. This would mark the latest in a series of postage increases as the Postal Service aims to stabilize its finances through a long-term restructuring plan.