Why the Census is important to you

The Constitution authorizes the collection of census data.  Census data of the American populations has been collected since 1790 and it is collected every 10 years.  The upcoming Census in 2020 will be used by the federal government to determine the number of seats each state gets in the U.S. House of Representatives.  It will also be used to distribute over $1 trillion to states to be used for schools, senior centers, bridges, hospitals, bridges and other public projects. 

The census offers the potential for redistribution of resources and political power to include redistricting.  There was an undercount of 400,000 young Latino children in the 2008 Census and a plan must be put into action to make sure all children are counted.  Arturo Vargas serves as the Executive Director of NALEO and also sits on the nation’s Census advisory board. 

For more information http://www.vidaenelvalle.com/news/state/california/fresno/article142930244.html

Filed under: Que Pasa? by National Latino Children Institute