Politics on the Hudson

   The New York 2010 Census Complete Count Committee kicked off a campaign to make sure state residents are counted in next year’s U.S. Census. Gov. David Paterson signed an executive order to form the committee, which will be composed of the heads of all state agencies and authorities.   

   The census is used to determine federal aid to states and representation in Congress, so not having everyone counted could cost the state money, Paterson said in a statement. The federal government allocates more than $400 billion a year for community programs and services, such as education, housing, community development, health care, transportation and other areas.

   “Federal estimates suggest that more than 202,000 New Yorkers were not counted in the 2000 census—we can and we must do better,” he said.

   The slogan for the 2010 census is “It’s In Our Hands,” as in making a complete and accurate count.

   Secretary of State Lorraine Cortes-Vazquez said one of the important messages the campaign wants to educate the public on is that the census is safe and easy. By law, the U.S. Census Bureau can’t share an individual’s responses with anyone, including other federal agencies or law enforcement.

   The 2010 census questionnaire is the shortest on in history and has 10 questions on it, according to census officials. Questionnaires will go out in March 2010.  

   The state has been losing members of Congress regularly because of population and census counts, said Assemblyman John McEneny, D-Albany. New York needs as many members of Congress fighting for the state’s interests as possible, he said.

   “This is a very, very important moment in time,” he said.  

   Earlier this year, the state allocated $2 million for community outreach on the census.

   Senate Democrats began an outreach campaign on the census a few months ago.

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