State aims for fairness on census

New York officials said Wednesday the state will host a series of public hearings to discuss next year's federal census and how to ensure all its residents are counted.

The statewide info sessions, to start next month, will take place as the Trump administration attempts to include a citizenship question on the 2020 census.

Last week, the Supreme Court announced that it will take up a case challenging the Trump plans. Arguments will be heard in April.

Gov. Cuomo appointed the 16 members of the New York State Complete Count Commission last month.

The group will join with state agencies, local governments and nonprofits across the state to gather information on how best to engage New Yorkers to participate in the census. Also at issue is the state's declining population and whether it will risk losing two congressional seats.

More than 48,000 people left the state last year.

Advocates pressed Cuomo to do more — and spend more — to ensure New Yorkers are ready for next year's count.

Nonprofit groups and unions including the New York Civic Engagement Table, Make the Road New York, 32BJ SEIU and the Hispanic Federation urged the governor in a letter to allot at least $40 million in state funds to raise awareness of the census' importance.