Wolf’s census panel wants $12M to ensure accurate count in 2020

HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania commission created by Gov. Tom Wolf to ensure an accurate census count wants $12 million in new budget funding next year.

The funding, recommended Monday by the Democratic governor’s Census 2020 Complete Count Commission, would go toward outreach in underserved communities, increased funding to census assistance centers, and education about the importance of the census.

The pitch is the first of several recommendations the commission is expected to make as the federal government prepares to launch its once-a-decade census count next year.

The stakes are high: Census data is used to determine the number of seats Pennsylvania has in Congress, as well as the amount of federal funding the state receives for programs ranging from Medicaid to roadway infrastructure. It is also used to draw district voting lines.

Mr. Wolf’s spokesman, J.J. Abbott, said the governor supports the new funding and expects it will be part of upcoming negotiations on Mr. Wolf’s proposed $34.1 billion budget proposal. The deadline to approve a new state budget is July 1.

“Gov. Wolf supports this recommendation for a relatively modest investment that would pay long-term dividends in return,” Mr. Abbott said.

Mr. Wolf created the census commission last year to look for strategies to improve the accuracy of census data. He appointed 45 commissioners, including representatives from nonprofits and government, to serve on the panel.

Republicans who control both legislative chambers would not commit to supporting the commission’s $12 million request.

In the House, GOP leaders are likely to support some amount of state funding for the census but do not yet agree on a specific amount, spokesman Mike Straub said.

“Our members fully support trying to keep the census as accurate as possible,” Mr. Straub said, “especially when those numbers can affect funding, first responders, and so many other projects.”

Jennifer Kocher, a spokeswoman for Senate GOP leaders, said they are reviewing the recommendation.

For each person uncounted, Pennsylvania would lose more than $2,000 in federal funding every year, Mr. Abbott said. The committee’s $12 million request represents $1 of funding for each person living in Pennsylvania.

Micah Sims, a commissioner on the census panel, said the group wants to be proactive ahead of the 2020 census.

“We’re hopeful that people understand that the census cannot be politicized,” Mr. Sims added.

“We are asking for the Republicans and Democrats and the House and Senate to vote together to do justice for the commonwealth of Pennsylvania.”