[CTPP] More on Appropriations Committee

********** C E N S U S 2 0 0 0 B U L L E T I N ********** Vol. 2 - No. 36 July 17, 1998 Commerce Secretary William M. Daley issued the following statement on Thursday, July 16, in response to recent action on the Clinton Administration's FY 1999 budget request for the Census Bureau by the U.S. House of Representatives' Appropriations Committee: House Appropriations Limits Funding -- Census 2000 in Jeopardy Washington, D.C. - Yesterday, the House Appropriations Committee took action on what I consider to be one of the most important activities of this nation and the cornerstone of our democracy -- the decennial census. The committee agreed to limit the Census Bureau's funding to half of the FY 1999 appropriation, with the stipulation that the second half would be withheld until Congress enacts legislation directing how the 2000 Census is to be conducted. Without the certainty of full funding, Census 2000 is at serious risk. The Census Bureau is at a critical point and must have all the resources necessary to conduct the best possible census ever. The Administration remains and will continue to remain committed to a census that is accurate, cost-effective, and fair and accounts for everyone, regardless of race, economic condition, or geographic location. The American people deserve no less. Census 2000 in Jeopardy On Wednesday, July 15, the House Appropriations Committee agreed to limit the Census Bureau's funding to half the appropriation with the stipulation that the second half would be withheld until Congress enacts legislation directing how the 2000 Census is to be conducted. A floor vote on this proposal is pending. This plan would put the success of the Census 2000, whatever the design used, in serious jeopardy. Why Full Funding for FY 1999 is So Critical Bottom line, the Census Bureau needs the assurance of full funding to continue preparing and finalizing plans for our nation's next head count. The Census is the nation's largest peacetime mobilization effort requiring years of preparation and work ahead of time. If funding is limited, the Bureau would have to suspend its operations in late January, when the first half of the year's funds will have been spent. That would overturn the entire schedule for Census 2000. In order to receive the second half of funding in March, 1999, the Bureau in essence would be forced to agree to a plan it does not endorse, a plan that will lead to a census that is more costly and less accurate. Effects for Census 2000 Specifically, delays and uncertainties in funding will force the Bureau to delay opening local census offices as well as hiring and training staff to operate these offices. In addition, limited funding will force the Bureau to lay off thousands of workers checking the master address list and delaying the entire address list operation. Having an accurate and up-to-date address list is a critical component towards achieving an accurate count. Limited funding will also force the Bureau to delay contracts to print the questionnaires and purchase the data capture systems that will take in information from census forms as well as delay other contracts for the advertising and promotion efforts -- critical towards increasing the response rates of Americans mailing back their forms. The Census is Important to Every American Census numbers are used by states to draw Congressional districts, as well as the districts for state and local offices. In addition, billions of dollars in federal funding are granted to states and localities every year based on census numbers. Census data are also critical to city, county, and state planners in determining such things as where to build a road, school, library, or hospital. It is critical that we accurately and fairly account for each and every American. Any delay in funding now would seriously undermine the Bureau's ability to achieve this goal. For more information, contact Mary Hanley at 202-482-4883 or Karen Cowles at 202-482-1523.