Phila. lawyer renominated to Postal Service board

President Obama has renominated Philadelphia lawyer Alan C. Kessler as a member of the U.S. Postal Service board of governors.

As the volume of mail continues to decline, the Postal Service faces a projected $7.5 billion deficit this year and serious questions about its survival. "I wouldn't say the institution is on life support, but it is in dire circumstances," said Kessler, who has served on the board for nine years.

The agency is asking Congress for relief from retiree health-care payments, as well as permission to cut Saturday mail delivery and authorization to expand the range of products it can offer.

Kessler, a partner at Duane Morris L.L.P. and a top national Democratic fund-raiser, was appointed to the postal board by President Bill Clinton in 2000. His term is set to expire in December. If Kessler is confirmed by the Senate, his new term will run through 2016. - Thomas Fitzgerald