Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) has introduced

Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) has introduced H.R. 1231, the Post Office Community Partnership Act, to address the problem of downtown post offices around the country being closed or relocated in outlying areas. At the moment the Postal Service is not required to abide by local zoning and building laws, and communities have little or no say in relocation decisions. The bill would require the Postal Service to comply with zoning laws and would mandate procedures for contacting the community with plans for relocation or closing. The bill now has 120 cosponsors from both sides of the aisle and will be the subject of a Senate hearing in the fall. Both the National Homebuilders’ Association and the Sierra Club support the bill.