EDITORIAL: PARTICIPATION IN CENSUS 2010 INCREASES FUNDING, REPRESENTATION FOR OUR REGION

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By Warren Savage, Executive Director, Santee Chamber of Commerce

The United States Census has been conducted every decade since 1790. This constitutionally mandated census is conducted to determine the number of persons living in the continental United States as well as its tributaries and territories. The U.S. Constitution requires a national census once every ten years and is a count of everyone residing in the United States: all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Island Areas. All residents must be counted. This includes people of all ages, races, ethnic groups, citizens and non-citizens.

 

In 2010, the U.S. Census will define who we are as a nation and a community. Taken every ten years, the census affects political representation and directs the allocation of billions of dollars in government funding.

 

Every year, more than $400 billion in federal funds is awarded to states and communities based on census data. Census data guide local decision-makers in important community planning efforts, including where to build new roads, hospitals and schools. Census data affect your voice in Congress by determining how many seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives. The State of Illinois lost one of its seats in the House of Representatives – dropping from 20 to 19 seats – despite a population gain from 1990 to 2000. The loss of a seat in the U.S. House also results in a loss of one electoral vote in the Electoral College.
 

The obstacles are many, but the 2010 Census has one thing working in its favor: Every household will get a short form with only ten questions about each person who lives there - name, sex, age and date of birth, race, ethnicity, relationship to the head of household and whether the home is owned or rented. This simple, short questionnaire takes just a few minutes to complete and return by mail. All responses provided on the 2010 Census questionnaire or to a Census Bureau employee are confidential and protected under title 13 of the United States Code. Under this law, no individual or agency can have access to this information.
 

For the first time since 1930, there will be no "long form" that previously was sent to one of every six households. It asked about everything from property taxes and indoor plumbing to education, ancestry and commuting patterns. The lengthy and probing questionnaire raised protests in 2000 by some in Congress, including then-Senate majority leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., although questions had been approved by Congress. Instead of using the long form, the Census Bureau is asking the same detailed questions through a separate survey that goes to about 3 million households a year.
 

There will be several other changes for 2010. For the first time the agency will send forms in English and Spanish to about 13 million households in areas that have a high concentration of Hispanics. There will also be second-chance cards. The forms will be mailed in February and March. If they're not returned, a follow-up reminder and another Census form will be sent before someone comes knocking.
 

The U. S. Census will begin April 1, 2010. Improving the national mail back response rate is one of the primary goals of the 2010 Census. As a member of the Census committee, I urge people living within the United States to participate in this mandated effort and thank you for participating.

 

The views in this editorial reflect the views of its author and do not necessarily reflect the views of East County Magazine. If you wish to submit an editorial for consideration, please contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org.
 


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