The 2010 Census is coming in April
From Florida Rep. Kelly Skidmore
It is never too early to prepare for the upcoming census. This important process determines more than just representation in the U.S. House of Representatives. Billions of dollars in annual federal funding to states and communities is based, in part, on census data. Census data guides planning for new hospitals, roads, job training centers, schools and more. Furthermore, census data is used to determine the need for additional social services, block grants and other grant programs essential to many of our communities.
The Census: A Snapshot
What: The census is a count of everyone residing in the United States.
Who: All U.S. residents must be counted—people of all races and ethnic groups, both citizens and non-citizens.
When: Census Day is April 1, 2010. Questionnaire responses should represent the household as it exists on this day. More detailed socioeconomic information will be collected annually from a small percentage of the population through the American Community Survey.
Why: The U.S. Constitution requires a national census once every 10 years. The census will show state population counts and determine representation in the U.S. House of Representatives.
How: Census questionnaires will be delivered or mailed to households via U.S. mail in March 2010; many households will receive a replacement questionnaire in early April. Census workers also will visit households that do not return questionnaires.
Opportunities and Involvement
The U.S. Census Bureau is recruiting temporary, part-time census takers for the 2010 Census. For more information, you can call toll-free 1-866-861-2010 or visit www.2010censusjobs.gov.
For information on how you can get involved in your community, please visit www.sunshinecensus2010.com.
As always, I appreciate the opportunity to be of service to you. Please do not hesitate to contact me or my staff if you have any questions or concerns. Our district office number is (561) 470-6593.
Related posts:
- Census forms reaching Broward homes this week
- School board member Hope encourages residents to fill out census
- BSO warning residents to be alert for Census scams
- Census workers to start knocking on doors May 1
- U.S. Census hiring temporary, part-time employees
Short URL: http://browardnetonline.com/?p=4936
Posted by Andrea Freygang
on Dec 5 2009. Filed under Broward County, Federal Government, Fort Lauderdale, Local news, Tallahassee.
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I had lunch with an unnamed city commissioner last week and the topic of the 2010 Census came up. I made mention that at a previous commission meeting, I was alarmed and dismayed at the praise awarded to city employees who were congratulated on their efforts to canvas certain areas of the city and ensure those who were not documented would have no fear of retaliation when participating in the upcoming census. The commissioner stated that she wanted to make sure that her city received Federal funds allotted to communities based on census guidelines. While I understood her immediate financial concerns for her city, I was bothered by the repercussions of the bigger issue and made no secret of it.
When illegal aliens are included in the census, states with large numbers of illegal immigrants are rewarded with additional seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and more votes in the Electoral College. Theoretically, a state could have a population consisting of 100 percent illegal aliens and it would still be allocated House seats based on its total population even though no one could legally vote. Some 70 percent of all immigrants have consistently tended to settle in six states: California, New York, Texas, Florida, New Jersey and Illinois.
I expressed to the commissioner that whatever Federal funds she had hoped to garner due to population numbers in her district would be more than offset due to the outlay of funds her city would have to expend on housing, education, crime and increase in police presence. I reminded the commissioner that her city is now home to one of the most violent gangs in the country and to further encourage the population (the undocumented Population) that aynonmity would be a priority during the census is paramount to advertising itself as a sanctuary city. In the bigger picture, the grasp for funding reminds me of immediate gratification with little thought of long term ramifications. I found very little comfort in this type of mindset by an elected official.
It is made woefully apparent to me that throwing funding at a problem and hoping it will seek its own level is not working. Unchecked immigration and dismal deportation policies are eroding the quality of Life for Floridians and I for one am not going to stand back and say or do nothing. Its not fair for Floridians and its not fair to Legal seeking Immigrants who already at a disadvantage have to cope with a community running on threadbare services due to those who consistantly take more than they give back.
Whats important to remember is we are and have already paid for Huge Government Agencies to enforce the laws concerning immigration in this country. Florida has more Law Enforcement Agencies on the public’s dole than most other states. My old adage “Liars can figure, Figures don’t lie” is very relevant that when you add up the billions of dollars thrown at Florida’s Law Enforcement each and every year, its amazing we have so much as a shoplifter in this state. Let alone one of the deadliest (undocumented) gangs in the country. I am not comfortable with the upcoming census and how its being used in the short term. The American Public shouldn’t be either.