NY Senate Launches Census 2010 Complete Count Committee to Remedy Shortfall in Federal Funding for Crucial Public Services

The New York State Senate is joining businesses, faith leaders and community leaders across the state to make certain the upcoming Census 2010 counts every New Yorker. With 100 days remaining until "Census Day," Senate leaders in conjunction with every member of the Majority Conference launched the New York Senate Census 2010 Complete Count Committee.

The New York Senate Census 2010 Complete Count Committee is just the latest in a series of Senate initiatives around Census 2010. The Senate and Assembly committed $2 million in resources to help ensure an accurate census count. In October, it launched the "Count Me In!" web site, www.nysenate.gov/census, with videos and other information on the importance of Census 2010. Each Senator’s office is promoting the census through mailings, email blasts, and community meetings.

"It cannot be overemphasized how critical the 2010 Census is to our State's well-being. We must make sure our community's population is accurately counted," said Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson (D-Bronx-Mt. Vernon). "The Senate is working hand-in-hand with our neighborhood leaders to ensure that everyone understands the importance of participating in this year's Census. New York State's residents deserve to receive their fair share of federal funding and we cannot unless everyone takes part in the Census."

For every New Yorker counted in the 2000 census, the federal government spends nearly $2,000 a year, providing the state with over $38.2 billion in federal program funding based on population numbers from census data. 0

But only about 6 out of ten New York residents statewide returned a census questionnaire in the 2000 census, below the national average. As a result, an estimated quarter million New Yorkers were not counted, and the state lost hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding for crucial public services.

The NY Senate Census 2010 Complete Count Committee is committed to dispelling fears about the census that cause many people to not return their census questionnaire.

Senators are working with community groups and neighborhood leaders in their districts to establish complete count committees and encourage people to return the census questionnaire and be counted.

Senators John Sampson, Pedro Espada, Jr., Malcolm A. Smith, Martin Malave Dilan, Ruth Hassell-Thompson, Brian X. Foley and David Valesky serve as chairs of the New York Senate Census 2010 Complete Count Committee.

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