Myrie Calls On Cuomo To Release Census Funds

State Sen. Zellnor Y. Myrie (D-Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Gowanus, Park Slope, Prospect Heights, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, South Slope, Sunset Park) today called on Governor Cuomo to release state funds for the census without further delay.

Myrie’s demand comes as he has held several census information sessions throughout district 20 and recently launched a Complete Count Committee with more than 20 community-based organizations in an effort to expand awareness and engagement in the census.

Additionally, Myrie penned a joined letter to the governor on the need to release these funds which were signed by a total of 33 Brooklyn elected officials, including all of Brooklyn’s members of Congress.

The state budget agreement included $20 million for census outreach, and the state-appointed Complete Count Commission released their recommendations on the use of the funds on October 8, 2019.

“Twenty-four days after the Complete Count Commission issued their report and 215 days since the state allocated $20 million for census outreach, our communities are still waiting for these vital funds. As we and 33 other elected officials warned, a potential undercount poses a grave risk to the rights, livelihood and well being of millions of people in Brooklyn and across the state. Yet we have seen no sign of the release of this money, no timeline, and no plan. This is unacceptable. The census gets closer every day and the time to act is now,” said Myrie.