Census count affects local funding, representation
JANESVILLE — Al Hulick, city management analyst, doesn’t like using the word “deserve” when he talks about the importance of the 2010 census for Janesville.
But when each person counted equals more federal money, that’s essentially what it comes down to.
“It’s really to make sure the city is allocated the amount of funds … that will allow us to provide the services that the community needs,” he said.
Counting every resident is vital in receiving population-based state and federal funding that “touches on so many aspects of our day-to-day life,” he said.
The 2010 census forms should arrive in area mailboxes this week. It is the Constitutional duty of residents to return completed census forms. Funding and political representation for the community are at stake.
Local efforts are ongoing to get every person counted. The Rock County Complete Count Committee formed in August and has partnered with the League of Women Voters in getting the word out about the census at community events, parent-teacher conferences, civic and municipal meetings and on the Web.
The money
More than $400 billion in federal funding is allocated each year based on census results.
In 2008, Wisconsin received $6.3 billion in federal assistance based on census-related statistics. That’s about $1,120 per person.
Census-based funding goes to hospitals; job training centers; schools; senior centers; transportation; bridges, tunnels and other public works projects, and emergency services.
Because the census numbers are used for the next 10 years, “you’re only as good as that number,” said Duane Cherek, manager of Janesville planning services.
It’s also important to have a good picture of the area’s changing diversity, Hulick said. If the numbers don’t reflect that change, money for services to help those populations is affected.
“If we have a low response rate, we’re really just short-changing ourselves and our community by not accurately representing what our community looks like,” Hulick said. “It’s really a missed opportunity that will unfortunately affect us for the next decade.”
Political implications
Census figures are used in drawing district lines at all levels of government—city council, county board, state Assembly and Senate and Congress.
UW-Madison political science professor Barry Burden predicts that while the population may have shifted within Wisconsin in the last 10 years, he’s confident the state will retain its eight seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Parts of the 1st and 2nd Congressional Districts, which include Rock and Walworth counties, have been hit hard economically. That might “introduce some uncertainty” into the redistricting process, Burden said, but he predicts the districts will remain largely intact.
The Supreme Court mandates every district have the same population; “everything else is a fair game,” Burden said.
It’s legal to draw lines to introduce partisanship or protect an incumbent, he said. Ten years ago, the lines for the 1st and 2nd Congressional Districts were redrawn pretty significantly, he said.
The state legislature is responsible for redrawing congressional and state legislative district lines, UW-Madison political science professor Ken Mayer said. If legislators can’t come to an agreement, lawsuits are filed and judges decide the redistricting, as was the case in Wisconsin after the 2000 census, he said.
The 1st District became more Republican while the 2nd District more Democratic, Burden said.
“I don’t expect many changes this time around,” he said.
At the state level, the Democrats barely hold a majority in the Assembly.
“They care an awful lot about maintaining that,” he said, so that could be a factor in redistricting.
In Rock County, the 29 county board districts will need to be redrawn to create equal representation, said Steve Schraufnagel, acting planning director for Rock County.
State estimates show Rock County has increased by 8,000 residents since 2000, county planners said.
After the last census, the target population was 5,252 residents in each district, he said. In the past, the county board has appointed an ad-hoc committee to write proposals for redistricting.
Once the county board approves new lines, the plan goes to municipalities to divvy up into wards.
The process will start at the county level about a year from now.
For Neil Deupree, chairman of the county’s complete count committee, completing the form is simple.
“This is a responsibility of every citizen,” he said. “You just do it.”
Snowbirds and GM workers
Snowbirds—residents who head south for winter—and commuting GM workers might push down Rock County’s census count.
If snowbirds fill out their census forms at their winter homes, they will be counted as residents of that state, even if they live there for only a few months each year.
Snowbirds should be counted where they reside most of the time, said Jim Accurso, media specialist with the U.S. Census Bureau in Chicago.
“If you get a form in Florida and in Wisconsin, disregard the Florida one,” he said. “Throw it away. Complete the form where they reside most of the time.”
Local officials are urging residents to make sure they are counted in Wisconsin so the state gets the count for representation in Congress and federal dollars tied to population.
The same holds true for General Motors workers who live in the area with family on the weekends but commute to plants across the country during the week, said Neil Deupree, chair of the Rock County Complete Count Committee.
Those workers get to choose for themselves where to be counted, he said.
“Of course we’d like for them to say they live here,” he said.
CENSUS TIME
If you haven’t received your U.S. Census form in the mail, look for in the coming days.
Residents should complete the forms and mail them back by April 1.
If the U.S. Census Bureau hasn’t received your completed form my mid to late April. Many—though not all—households that do not respond will receive a second form in the mail.
If you don’t send back a census form, a census taker will knock on your door to gather the information face-to-face. The census taker will come back several times or talk to neighbors in an effort to reach you, said Jim Accurso, media specialist for the U.S. Census Bureau’s Chicago office.
Taxpayers save $85 million for every 1 percent increase in the mail response rate, Accurso said. The government estimates it costs $25 to $40 to send someone to a doorstep, versus the 42 cents for the mailing.
The U.S. Census Bureau anticipates sending workers door-to-door in May, June and July, Accurso said.
The ‘long form’
This year, everyone receives the same form with the same 10 questions. In past census counts, some people received the short form while others got the long form.
This time, the long form has been replaced by the American Community Survey, which will be mailed to a small segment of the population. Those households must fill out the standard 10 question form and the American Community Survey, which is longer and more detailed.
TO LEARN MORE
Help centers will be set up across the area for anyone who needs help filling out the census form. To find a help center, visit or contact your local library.
The official U.S. Census Bureau Web site is 2010.census.gov. For local information, visit www.co.rock.wi.us then click on 2010 Census.
The U.S. Census Bureau has an assistance hotline at 1-866-872-6868. Spanish speakers can call 1-866-928-2010. The lines are open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily through July 30.
For local information, contact Neil Deupree, chair of the Rock County Complete Count Committee, at (608) 752-8342.
Mar 16, 2010 at 8:25 p.m.
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So drop the dopey "tin hat" comment... let's go back to the reason our individual states are granted supplemental funds for services. It is due to an accurate count of physical bodies. I do NOT like the designation of white, vs Hispanic, vs Indian, vs black / purple / pink / transparent.... Just the number of people in a geographic boundary should justify the services required.
Having noted this, I absolutely agree that if someone is here as an illegal alien... they should be deported. Of course, they won't even report that they are here.
If you do not want to report your "RACE" (I HATE that designation) then don't.
Mar 16, 2010 at 1:06 p.m.
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Oh, were you infering that Napalm needed to "borrow" a tin hat? My comment wasn't directed toward any specific person.
Mar 16, 2010 at 1:02 p.m.
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I don't have a tin hat.
Mar 16, 2010 at 12:06 p.m.
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"Your remark added nothing to the conversation."
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How much did you tin hat add?
Mar 16, 2010 at 11:44 a.m.
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Napalm doesn't really want to know the answers, or s/he would find out for him/herself. It's really easy to do. S/he said s/he was throwing the census in the garbage. Your remark added nothing to the conversation.
Mar 16, 2010 at 2:17 a.m.
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Well you will need more than that as his questions are beyond counting, if you read the constitution it only talks of counting; enumerating. The extra questions on race, age, religion, or anything else are derived from congress not the constitution. If you want to dig up all the case law for that and really answer his questions aside from the trite remarks of wearing your hat that would be great, thanks.
Mar 16, 2010 at 12:03 a.m.
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Sure, he can borrow my Constitution. I'll even bookmark the part that talks about the census.
Mar 15, 2010 at 11:08 p.m.
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Zoom, can he borrow yours?
Mar 15, 2010 at 10:06 p.m.
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Napalm, you don't believe in the Constitution either?
Wow, the wing-nuts are out in force. Make sure your tin-foil hat is on straight!
Mar 15, 2010 at 8:40 p.m.
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Why is the color "white" considered a race. It's a color. There's 6 options for Hispanic...but what's wrong with using the terms Caucasian? Or European American?
Mar 15, 2010 at 7:54 p.m.
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gonefishin, that was for the 2000 census - ten years ago. Were you gonefishin or something? It was debated back then and the Republicans opposed it, even though it would be cheaper and as accurate. Statistical sampling is a very exact science because it has been tested time again. How? Because we can build contrived populations that we know and then sample them to see how accurate our sampling is. The founding fathers were for science not against it.
Mar 15, 2010 at 7:35 p.m.
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Then if you should need government assistance, Napalm, YOU will be excluded. (In a perfect world!)
It is for energy assistance, rescue services, state aid, government funded (yes that means we pay for it through our taxes) help for counties with high unemployment.
If you DO NOT fill it out, YOU and I will have higher state taxes because they did not budget for the needs of YOUR community. Wake up! Unless you live in a shed like the Unibomber, you are only contributing to our local lack of funds!
Mar 15, 2010 at 5:30 p.m.
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Yes, Napalm throw it away. If all the stupid rednecks could please let the government undercount them and remove some representation that would be great.
They want to know about race because of public health issues and discrimination. They are doing it so they can be more effective. For example, carlito the government would want to know you can barely write a coherent sentence so they can provide more educational services because ignorant citizens are expensive.
Mar 15, 2010 at 4:36 p.m.
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It's a secret, Napalm! They aren't telling anyone, shhhhhhhh, be quiet!
Mar 15, 2010 at 1:41 p.m.
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I got it and sent back Also what I am wondering when the census was done in person. why did they make my household african/American when 6 residents and only to were bi-racial mojority white household? When I asked they stated more financial assistance would be higher for the community now is this right?
Mar 15, 2010 at 1:22 p.m.
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Why do they have to pay you, Napalm? It took me 3 minutes to fill it out. Postage is paid on the return envelope. Help us all, FILL OUT YOUR CENSUS!!!
Mar 15, 2010 at 12:52 p.m.
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Actually, Clinton wanted to use sampling instead of taking an actual count and the Republican'ts whined and complained. Now suddenly, they are complaining about how an actual count is expensive. This is why we are having problems - too many stupid people. We should kick out all the stupid people because THEY are a drain on society. As adults, they are evidence the thousands of tax payers dollars were wasted on people who couldn't even put in a semblance of effort while being provided a free education.
Republicans are afraid because they don't have the demographics.
Mar 15, 2010 at 12:16 p.m.
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We just got our census Fill'ed & return'ed
Mar 15, 2010 at 9:56 a.m.
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I read at the noaa.gov site (which is actually an oceanic and atmospheric site)and it has a whole article regarding concentrations of the need for interpreters and cultural awareness teachers. Who in the heck hired someone to write site content for the noaa.gov site regarding census analysis? Seems a waste to me because anyone wanting to know census information can simply visit their site or ad a link to government sponsored websites to visit the census website. The census administrators have gone way too far spending money on advertising and redundant information. No wonder we are broke. By all means fill it out, that goes without saying, while you are at it feel free to rat out any illegals you know maybe if we all get serious the politicians may take us more seriously, ah to dream. However, a stand must be made to rein in the problem of those relocating here illegally. I have no problem with people who take the time to come here in a legal manner, welcome!!! Those that ignore the process have no respect for our county. Lets not even get into the problem of anchor children, ahhh. We will see what the census has to say, don't get too excited though it has been published that it typically takes an additional two years to extract all data from the collected information.
Mar 15, 2010 at 9:49 a.m.
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That one cracked me up too, Professor. Since that was an act of government, I'll bet "someone" here could provide us a run-down of the logic behind that. Janesvillean...? ;~)
Mar 15, 2010 at 9:21 a.m.
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dini79: don't confuse legal immigration with illegal border hopping. There are many good reasons to limit the number of people we legally let into the country. That isn't what most people are discussing.
Illegally entering into our country is just that: ILLEGAL. We should have ZERO tolerance.
Mar 15, 2010 at 9:07 a.m.
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Wow. Who the heck knew we had so many people on here whose ancestors did not come from elswehere. My Welsh, German, English, French and Irish ancestors were the first interlopers, each hated in the waves they arrived. Each draining off resources. But yours have been here since time immemorial, I see. Good. We need more indigenous folks around here to tell us how to treat each other.
Mar 15, 2010 at 8:47 a.m.
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Yes Professor, they also saw fit to advertise during a auto race...primary sponsorship for a NASCAR vehicle. I am sure that was cheap also.
Mar 15, 2010 at 8:36 a.m.
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And, I am REALLY happy to have had some of my tax dollars spent for the letter I got last week from the Census Bureau, telling me I was going to get my census form this week. I'm certain there is a good reason for spending that money, I just can't seem to think of it....
Mar 15, 2010 at 8:11 a.m.
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PS. my backyard is located at 38deg 53min 55.5s North and 77deg 2min 15.7s West. Feel free to harvest as much money as you want.
Mar 15, 2010 at 7:57 a.m.
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RAF; that is sad indeed. Since schools are forced to teach illegals and emergency rooms are forced to treat illegals then the municipalities have to find a way to pay for them. The answer is to simply get the money from the government. OH SNAP! Where on earth will the government find money? Perhaps they willl continue to force hard working Americans to pay for these freeloaders. WHEW! It's a good thing I planted an extra money tree in my backyard.
Mar 15, 2010 at 7:37 a.m.
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It is interesting to see how the idea of counting the population for the purpose of equal representation at the federal level has turned more into local governments fighting for funds to support spending, very sad.
Mar 15, 2010 at 7:12 a.m.
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Well...once we count the illegal aliens amongst us, THEN can we get rid of them?!
Mar 15, 2010 at 7:04 a.m.
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jansevillean I know, I was just saying do'nt forget them
Mar 14, 2010 at 10:09 p.m.
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helge1939, the count is of residents, not of citizens. From the very beginning the census enumerated free males -- voters -- as well as women, children, slaves, and others ineligible to vote.
http://www.usconstitution.net/consttop_c...
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"The U.S. Constitution mandates us to count everyone, including both citizens and non-citizens. We’ve followed this mandate, since the first census in 1790. The Framers of the Constitution made it clear they wanted “all inhabitants” of the country counted in the U.S. Census, and every Presidential Administration since that time that has overseen a Census has interpreted the Constitution and the laws require everyone be counted."
http://2010.census.gov/2010census/about/...
Mar 14, 2010 at 6:32 p.m.
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And remember to even count those that are not suppose to be here in the USA.
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