Postal Service asks for 2-cent stamp increase

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Postal Service on Tuesday proposed a 2-cent increase to the price of a first-class stamp.

The Postal Service, facing an estimated $7 billion shortfall in 2011, seeks to charge 46 cents for a first-class stamp, effective Jan. 2. The hike, along with proposed increases to the cost of mailing magazines and newspapers, would raise an estimated $2.3 billion by the end of next year.

Officials also said they plan a new design for Forever stamps, which currently have an image of the Liberty Bell. New Forever stamps will have images of evergreen trees. All Forever stamps would remain valid.