As a 15-year veteran of the State Data Center Affiliate program here in
Pensylvania, I have some experience with these issues. Embargoed data
were, at one time, issued to the media and State Data Centers for their
respective uses prior to the general 'public' releases. It was up to the
State Data Centers to then issue the data to their affiliates.
Here in Pennsylvania, we (SDC Affiliates) used to have access to all
embargoed information. Unfortunately, throughout the nation and prior to
Census 2000, some states and many affiliates routinely broke the embargoes.
The Census Bureau has never had a sense of humor about this and,
subsequently, revoked embargo rights to many state agencies and non-press
people. This has resulted in the situation many of us are facing this
afternoon. Since Census 2000, State Data Centers have been given rights to
embargoed data, but it is up to individual Data Centers as to whether they
will release the data to their affiliate agencies. I know that, in New
Jersey, those affiliates have access; here in PA, we do not.
If you're not familiar with the State Data Center program in your state,
the Census Bureau website has information and links.
Any Bureau comments?
Michael D. Golembiewski
Transportation Modeler
BERKS COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
BERKS COUNTY SERVICES CENTER
633 COURT STREET FL 14
READING PA 19601-4309
ph: 610-478-6300
fax: 610-478-6316
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