Greco Warns of No-Mail Bills, Hopes Next Rate Case Tied to CPI

Direct Marketing Association president John Greco Tuesday warned of the possible dangers of do-not-mail legislation under consideration in 15 states. He also solicited contributions to the Mail Moves America Coalition, an organization of 50 direct marketers, trade groups and printers the DMA set up to fight such bills.

In an e-mail to the DMA’s members, Greco stated: “we continue to see stirrings at the state level of what we believe will be a long-term, concerted national effort to limit advertising mail. The threat facing the mailing community comes in the form of misguided state legislation that seeks to establish state-run “Do Not Mail” registries.

“This threat is real – and growing,” the letter continued. “In 2006, there were three such bills in three states; in 2007 to date, there have been 18 bills introduced in 15 states.”

According to DMA spokesperson Stephanie Hendricks, many of these bills didn’t make it out of their respective state legislatures before their sessions ended but the threat remains and the coalition is trying to inform them of the importance of direct mail has in the economy.

Greco also invited members to make “a financial contribution to support the coalition’s efforts. Coalition funds will be employed to produce informational materials for use with policymakers and the media, support the cost of advocacy in the states, and keep the mail open as a communications channel for every American.”

He also expressed hope that the U.S. Postal Service would not file a new rate case under old rules in place before the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act was signed into law last winter.

“As we move forward, our attention must focus on how future rate increases will be managed under the postal reform act that was signed into law last December,” Greco wrote. “As many of you know, the Postal Regulatory Commission by June 19, 2008, must promulgate regulations implementing the new law’s ratesetting procedures, including [Consumer Price Index]-capped rate adjustments for market-dominant products, which include Standard Mail.

“At DMA, we are fighting hard to ensure that the next rate increase process will proceed under the new rules,” he said.