Title
Urging United States Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to adopt the recommendations of The U.S. Conference of Mayors on the 2020 Census and its impact on municipalities.
Body
WHEREAS, America's city leaders share Commerce Secretary Ross' commitment to a full and fair 2020 Census as the accuracy and fairness of it serves the interests of all political parties and of every citizen. In addition to apportionment of seats in the House of Representatives and drawing of political districts at the federal, state, and local levels, census data affects the distribution of billions of federal dollars annually to local communities for infrastructure and vital services such as new roads, schools, and emergency services; and
WHEREAS, According to the article "Mayors alarmed by unprecedented challenges ahead of 2020 Census" by Ryan Johnston, mayors from both parties have long held the census to be vital for constructing policy on virtually every local issue. They say past censuses have undercounted cities, leaving them shortchanged when the federal government hands out funding based on population size; and
WHEREAS, Congress has required the Census Bureau to spend no more on the 2020 Census than it did on the 2010 Census and, considering this, it is attempting to adapt through a greater reliance on technology and state and local assistance. In their letter, the U.S. Conference of Mayors noted that Secretary Ross requested $187 million additional funding in fiscal year 2018 for the Census Bureau to improve the scalability and cyber security of the census IT system. "The 2020 Census will include new internet and telephone response methods, the letter adds, so such an investment will be critical to maximizing responses"; and
WHEREAS, No additional funding request for the Integrated Partnership and Communications program, which is vital to creating avenues for people who may not have the resources to respond otherwise, was proposed. The U.S. Conference of Mayors c...
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