Assembly Concurrent Resolution
No. 44
CHAPTER 12
Relative to the federal decennial census.
[
Filed with
Secretary of State
April 01, 2009.
]
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
ACR 44, Federal decennial census.
This measure would declare April 1, 2009, to be California Census Awareness Day to promote awareness of the upcoming federal decennial census in order to advance the goal of a complete and accurate count of all Californians.
Digest Key
Fiscal Committee:
NO WHEREAS, The United States Constitution requires an enumeration of the population every 10 years known as the United States decennial census; and
WHEREAS, The next federal decennial census will occur on April 1, 2010; and
WHEREAS, A complete and accurate count of Californians is critical to our state because census figures affect federal congressional representation, state redistricting, federal formula grant allocations, an estimated and state funding to local governments and local programs for the next 10 years; and
WHEREAS, A high undercount in the upcoming census could cost the state a seat in the House of Representatives for the first time in history; and
WHEREAS, California benefits substantially from federal programs tied to census figures, and an undercount of the state’s population would severely impact funding for health, human services, education, and other programs; and
WHEREAS, Despite outreach efforts in connection with the 2000 census, 522,796 Californians were not counted, resulting in a loss of $1.5 billion in federal funding for the state; and
WHEREAS, Future outreach efforts depend on strong partnerships with state, local, and tribal governments, community-based organizations, faith-based groups, schools, businesses, the media, and others; and
WHEREAS, Sufficient time is necessary to raise awareness, promote education, and extend outreach strategies to complement the United States Census Bureau’s regional efforts; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature declares April 1, 2009, to be California Census Awareness Day to promote awareness of the upcoming federal decennial census in order to advance the goal of a complete and accurate count of all Californians; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.