Stamps

Stamp prices are set to increase:

The independent Postal Rate Commission yesterday approved a 2-cent increase in the price of a postage stamp.

Under the recommendation, which now goes to the Postal Service's Board of Governors for final action, the cost of a first-class stamp will go from 37 cents to 39 cents and the postcard rate will rise a penny to 24 cents. The Postal Service requested the increase in April. It is expected to go into effect in January.

In 1988, 17 years ago, a stamp went for a 25 cents. The new rate increase will mark a 56% increase over that time -- this in an era of historically low inflation. Thank goodness for email.

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Update: Perhaps I should have said, "Thank goodness government isn't in charge of email."