Bill Overview
Title: Great Lakes Restoration Semipostal Stamp Act of 2022
Description: This bill directs the U.S. Postal Service to issue a semipostal stamp (a stamp sold at a premium to raise funds for a cause of national public interest) to contribute to funding operations supported by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.
Sponsors: Rep. Walberg, Tim [R-MI-7]
Target Audience
Population: People residing in the Great Lakes region of the United States
Estimated Size: 35000000
- The bill involves the US Postal Service, so it directly impacts their operations and customers who purchase stamps.
- The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative targets environmental restoration in the Great Lakes region.
- The Great Lakes region includes areas in both the United States and Canada, impacting residents, businesses, and ecosystems.
- The initiative benefits various stakeholders including local communities, governmental and non-governmental organizations, and environmental groups concerned with the Great Lakes.
- Tourism and fishing industries in the Great Lakes region may be indirectly affected by improvements in environmental conditions due to funding from the stamp.
Reasoning
- The population directly impacted by the policy includes residents of the Great Lakes region and any individuals involved with the Postal Service who may see changes in their operations or funding priorities due to stamp sales.
- Postal customers across the country might contribute financially by purchasing the stamps, with varying levels of motivation based on awareness or interest in Great Lakes restoration.
- Environmental health improvements could enhance wellbeing over the long term, but immediate financial impacts are limited to those directly purchasing stamps or involved in restoration efforts.
- The policy's annual budget of $12 million is modest relative to the size of the population potentially affected, leading to mainly indirect, long-term benefits.
- Not all people in the Great Lakes region will perceive a change; those more directly connected to environmental or recreational activities around the lakes might feel stronger impacts.
Simulated Interviews
Environmental Scientist (Chicago, Illinois)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe investing in the health of the Great Lakes is crucial for environmental sustainability.
- Most people may not be aware of how critical the lakes are to our ecosystem.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Retired auto worker (Detroit, Michigan)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm happy to see any initiative that helps keep our lakes clean.
- I worry that not enough people will buy the stamps to make a real difference.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Postal worker (Cleveland, Ohio)
Age: 31 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's interesting how a stamp can contribute to a cause, but will people really buy more for this?
- I feel like my job might highlight this more if it gets popular.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
University Student (New York, New York)
Age: 22 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Great idea to integrate this into something people already use, like stamps.
- As a student, I'm curious how effective this method will be in promoting awareness.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Local business owner (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our community's economy depends on the lake, so improvements always help.
- The cost might not seem like much, but I wonder if it will have widespread interest.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Postal Service Manager (Rochester, New York)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Offering these stamps is a good PR move and helps a good cause.
- The impact of sales will depend on how well this is marketed.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Activist (Buffalo, New York)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I appreciate efforts to support important environmental causes, even in small ways like this.
- Funding restoration is essential, but much more is needed to address systemic issues.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Fishing guide (Erie, Pennsylvania)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Restoration can greatly improve business by boosting fish populations and water quality.
- The challenge is getting enough people to support through stamps.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Graphic Designer (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Supporting environmental causes through creative avenues like stamps could be effective.
- I wish there were more visibility and awareness campaigns related to this.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Retired teacher (Green Bay, Wisconsin)
Age: 58 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I remember teaching about the Great Lakes and think it's important to support them in any way.
- Programs like this show how each person can contribute even if they can't directly participate.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $12000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $15000000)
Year 2: $12000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $15000000)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The impact of the semipostal stamp depends heavily on consumer interest and sales volume.
- The initiative supports environmental restoration, which could have long-term regional benefits.
- Stamps are sold at a premium, and all additional revenue beyond USPS costs supports the initiative.
- Operational and marketing costs for the USPS must be considered in evaluating net impacts.