Post Office Raises Stamp Price

By Diana Williams
In a recent move by the United States Postal Service, individuals will now be shelling out two more cents for your “two cents.” Regular first-class postage stamps increased from 37 cents to 39 cents as of Jan. 8. There are two issues, the Lady Liberty and U.S. Flag; and the two-cent stamp, which features Navajo jewelry. The stamps are available in books of 20, coils of 100, and coils of 3,000 for businesses and postal vending machines.

Other postal increases include a three-cent rise for a one-ounce letter to Canada or Mexico, making the price 63 cents. Foreign mail also increases from 80 to 84 cents. Priority mail takes a big hike, increasing twenty cents totaling $4.05.

The Postal Service requested the increase in fees last April, but it did not go into effect on Jan. 8. On their official website, they cite the reason for the hike as being a need to make a $3.1 billion escrow payment required by Congress. However, rumors are circulating on news stations and websites that part of the increase was due to the increasing rise in gas prices.

The last increase was in June 2002. Another increase is expected within a year, according to the official U.S.P.S. website. Therefore, save those pennies in your car’s drink cup, you will need them if you want to mail any letters!