Much at stake in next census
Alot is at stake in the next U.S. Census, and that's why we — as the Republican and Democratic leaders of the Oklahoma Senate — are working together to encourage a full census count of Oklahoma.
Recently, we announced the Senate would form its own Complete Count Sen. Greg Committee.
Treat The U.S. Census Bureau encourages community and business leaders, as well as state and local Sen. Kay governments, Floyd to form such committees to promote the importance of a full and complete count in the census.
Census data drives the distribution of billions of dollars in federal funds every year for things like transportation, education and health care programs, and much more. Census data also informs the decisions businesses and industry make on things like expansion or relocation. As you can see, a complete count is necessary because census data has such a huge impact.
In 2010, Oklahoma's Census participation rate was just 75.5%. Compare that to surrounding states like Texas, where the participation rate was 76.5%, or
Arkansas (77%), or Kansas (81.2%). That's why it's so important we increase our participation rate in the Census.
In fiscal year 2016, Oklahoma received more than $9.3 billion through 55 federal programs guided by 2010 Census data. It is estimated that every person not counted in the census costs the state approximately $1,800 per year in lost federal funding for 10 years. An undercount of just 2% could cost the state up to $1.8 billion over a decade. A complete and full count is essential to ensuring Oklahoma gets its appropriate share of federal funding.
Census Day will be April 1, but Oklahoma residents can self-respond to the 2020 Census beginning in early March 2020, via the internet, by phone, by traditional paper census questionnaire, or in-person with a Census Bureau employee. So, it's never been easier to complete the census form.
A complete count matters, and it matters a lot. And that's why the Oklahoma Senate is working together in a bipartisan way to encourage our neighbors and friends to participate in the 2020 Census.
There's something you can do to help, too. Visit www. census.gov/partners to learn how you or your organization can partner with the U.S. Census Bureau. Every Oklahoman must do his or her part to make sure our state is counted during the census.