2020 Census. The decennial census (what is the census?) is a critical component of understanding the fabric of Oregon, and it is constitutionally required to ensure the government represents the people. The census affects the funding that cities and regions receive, and could determine if Oregon will gain a 6th congressional seat. This year, the census will be completed largely online and through telephone interviews. Paige knows that issues surrounding access to broadband internet and computers in her district can affect the outcomes of the census count, and an undercount of Oregonians in House District 17 could negatively impact the funding it receives for vital services.
Nationwide there is $7.1 trillion of federal funding up for grabs by states, counties, and municipalities. It is important that everyone in your home is counted, even if they are only staying with you for a while, as funds are sent out based on how many people and households take the census, and the most rural areas of House District 17 are some of the hardest to count communities. Types of hard-to-count communities include:
- People of color
- Children under five
- Renters
- Immigrants
- People with limited English proficiency
- Multiple-family homes
- Native tribal and urban communities
- Disabled people
- LGBTQ individuals
Getting our district counted right is important. Not taking the census can affect funding for important issues we struggle with in our area for the next ten years such as:
- Fire and Emergency Response Services
- Water and Waste Disposal Systems for Rural Communities
- Highway planning and construction
- Affordable Housing Solutions
- Population-based Library services grants
- Business and Industry Loans
- Low Income Housing Loans
- Unemployment Insurance Administration
- School Breakfast Program
- National School Lunch Program
- WIC (Women, Infants, and Children)
- Special Education Grants
- Head Start (Preschool)
- Career and Technical Education Grants (CTE)
- Crime Victim Assistance
- Grants for Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse
- Federal Pell Grant Program
- Federal Direct Student Loans
- Health Care Centers
- Medicaid
- SNAP food assistance (Oregon Trail Card)
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
- Section 8 Housing Vouchers
- Public and Indian Housing
- Native American Employment and Training
- Foster Care
- Adoption Assistance
- Music and Arts in schools
For example, according to Marion County 23% of people in the city of Stayton lack access to computers; if these people are left uncounted in the census, Stayton could lose out on about $6 million per year in critical funding for residents. This is an issue that extends to many rural areas in House District 17, and one Paige is working to avoid. She is planning census outreach efforts to ensure families in rural communities have access to a phone line or computer so they can participate. For more information on what the census is visit United States Census 2020 page or visit the We Count Oregon page for resources on why it matters and how to help specific hard-to-count communities. You can also see a sample of the 2020 Census questions. The citizenship question will not appear on the 2020 Census. Your census data is safe, as federal laws do not allow personal identifying information to be shared to anyone, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), for 72 years.