Census takers begin their work April 1, 2010
With the 2010 U.S. Census’ official count beginning soon, say Census officials, many people are concerned about their privacy and protection of their personal information.
They advise caution and promise adequate notification that census-takers will be making the rounds.
“Remain cautious,” they advise, “but understand that participation in the Census is not voluntary - it is against the law to refuse to answer a census taker or give to false information.”
Keep these tips in mind to ensure safe participation in the 2010 U.S. Census.
One reason an accurate census count is important this year is because of the amount of federal dollars that flow into Murfreesboro and Rutherford County that are based on the population number..jpg?n=2588 "2010 Census Logo (red)")
“The GAO (Government Accounting Office) in mid-December issued a report requested by Sen. Thomas Carper (D-DE), Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Rep. William Lacy Clay (D-MO) identifying the federal money distributed through programs that use federal census data,” a story in Community Development Digest reported. “Overall, the $478.3 billion in formula funding for the 10 largest programs in 2009 – including funding gained through the 2009 stimulus package – jumped to 84 percent of total federal aid, up from 73 percent in 2008 when the 10 largest programs obligated $334.3 billion.
“The lawmakers say the report points to the need for communities to provide the most accurate census data possible during 2010,” the story continued. “Maloney says that if the 2009 number is duplicated for the next decade, more than $3 trillion will be spent on programs that rely on the census data.”
John Callow, Murfreesboro’s Director of Community Development, says his department receives money that is based on the census count – the higher the count, the more money for local programming there is.
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