NAPS Chat

During this week's episode of  NAPS Chat, National Association of Postal Supervisors Executive Vice President Ivan Butts and Bob discuss the postal mention at President Trump's January 6 rally, recent court-ordered postal performance data, advice for President-elect Biden and congressional leaders, and expectations for a re-imagined NAPS Legislative Training Seminar.

During  this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Rep. Jason Crow and Bob discuss the impact the Postal Service has on his congressional district, the country and his engagement with postal issues. The conversation was  recorded prior to Rep. Crow's heroic efforts to secure the House of Representatives chamber and  protect his colleagues from the seditious mob that desecrated the U.S. Capitol. Bob also provides an update of legislative and political news at the beginning  of the episode.

Rep. Jason Crow represents the congressional district to the east of Denver, and serves on the House Committee on Armed Service and the House Committee on Small Business.

During  this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Berkshire Company President and Chief  Executive Officer Mark Fallon and Bob discuss the challenges  confronting the postal marketplace, Mark's insight regarding election  mail, and how the Mailers Technical Advisory Committee (MTAC) plays a role in influencing  postal policy. In addition, Mark and Bob discuss the recent "final  rules" issued by the Postal Regulatory Commission that modifies the postage rate-setting  process.

In addition to leading the Berkshire Company, a consulting firm specializing in mail and document processing  strategies, Mark Fallon is a well-respected thought-leader on postal matters.

During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, after a 230-year absence, America's first Postmaster General, Benjamin Franklin, returns to respond to an open letter Bob wrote him. The letter appeared in the December issue of the Postal Supervisor. Former PMG Franklin and Bob discuss the state of the United States postal system and other legacy issues of interest to "the First American."

(Consider  this NAPS Chat episode an early holiday gift to NAPS Chat listeners. We  thank Bomoseen Vermont Postmaster Robert Crowley for providing an  authentic interpretation of one America's most notable patriots.)

During this week's episode of  NAPS Chat, Chuck Mulidore, National Association of Postal Supervisors  Secretary Treasurer, joins Bob to discuss  the possible timeline for upcoming pay consultations with the U.S. Postal Service, other issues of importance to postal EAS level employees, and the  continued postal role in delivering democracy for the State of Georgia in the January 5 senate run-off election.

During  this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Jay Fritz, chief of the Office of  Personnel Management's Outreach and Program Services joins Bob to discuss the 2020 Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) Open  Season. Jay and Bob discuss what's new in 2021 for FEHBP, what factors to take into  account when selecting an FEHBP plan, FEHBP tax-preferred flexible spending accounts, and dental and vision coverage for program  participants.

During  this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), chairwoman of the House Oversight and Reform Committee, joins Bob to discuss her committee's postal oversight priorities, pending postal legislation, and what to anticipate in 2021.

Rep.  Maloney chairs the House of Representatives committee with jurisdiction over the U.S. Postal Service. She was first elected to Congress in 1992. One of the issues in her inaugural congressional campaign was the incumbent's advocacy in favor of opening up residential mailboxes to competitors of the U.S. Postal Service.

During  this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Congressman Sam Graves of Missouri joins Bob to discuss the importance of the Postal Service to his rural  Missouri congressional district, Missouri's experience with absentee  balloting in the recent election, and what the Postal Service needs from Congress in 2021.

Rep.  Graves is completing his 10th term representing a rural Missouri  district, which spans the northern part of the state, from the Mississippi to the Missouri Rivers. The congressman has been a leading advocate for a  universal Postal Service, is the ranking Republican member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and was the former chairman of the House Committee on Small Business.

During this week's episode of  NAPS Chat, NAPS President Brian Wagner and Bob discuss USPS performance  in conveying ballots on behalf of American  voters, and Brian's reflections as a member of the USPS National  Election Task Force and his recommendations for the USPS' role in future elections.

During this week's episode of  NAPS Chat, NAPS Executive Vice President Ivan Butts and Bob discuss the  USPS' role in the 2020 election, the unfounded attacks on the legitimacy of mailed absentee ballots, and the implication of the election on congressional postal action.