Last week, the U.S. Postal Service reduced its service standards for First-Class mail, and eliminated nearly all overnight letter mail delivery.  Most mail will be delivered in two to three days -- longer if weekends and holidays are involved.  During 2015, more than 80 processing plants in small cities and rural areas throughout the nation will be closed in the Postal Service's push to shrink its network.  

The Postal Service has achieved considerable success in removing costs from the system during the last six years, at a time when mail volumes were in decline.  This latest round of operational cuts, however, threatens the very integrity and concept of Universal Service -- the Postal Service's primary obligation under the law.  

While we have experienced increased access to electronic communications options, particularly in metropolitan areas, a great many American homes and businesses rely upon the mail.  It remains essential that all Americans can rely on a fundamental communication service and avenue of commerce that provides equal access and prompt service to all, regardless of region.

Binding the nation together is the founding principle of the Postal Service's mandate.  

The Postal Service is moving ahead with these changes despite three cautionary reports:  a March 2013 Management Advisory Report;  a September 2012 Audit Report issued by its Office of Inspector General, and an Advisory Opinion produced by the Postal Regulatory Commission in 2012.

The Inspector General in his reports called on the Postal Service to carefully evaluate actual measured cost savings and service impacts for the network changes implemented in 2013 and 2014; to accurately and fully disclose to mailers and other stakeholders the savings resulting from closed facilities, and to provide a more reliable estimate of future changes during the notification process. More

The Toner Prize for Excellence in Political Reporting recognizes the best national or local political reporting in any medium or on any platform-print, broadcast or online. Awarded annually by Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, the prize includes a $5,000 award.

The Toner Prize goes to the best national or local political reporting on any platform - print, broadcast or online. Entries must be fact-based reporting, not commentary.  Single articles, series or a body of work are eligible. The work must have been published, posted or broadcast between Jan. 1, 2014, and Dec. 31, 2014.  

Click here for the entry form.  

Entries will be judged on how well they reflect the high standards and depth of reporting that marked Toner's work. In particular, the judges will look for how well the entries:

• Illuminate the electoral process or
• Reveal the politics of policy and
• Engage the public in democracy.

The Toner Prize honors Robin Toner, the late national political correspondent for The New York Times and a summa cum laude graduate of Syracuse University with dual degrees in journalism and political science. In her journalism career, Toner spent nearly 25 years with The New York Times, covering five presidential campaigns, scores of congressional and gubernatorial races and many of the country's major political and policy issues. Toner died in December 2008.  

For more information, contact Charlotte Grimes at  cgrimes@syr.edu.