(7/18/98 Baltimore AFRO-American Newspaper)
by Congressman Elijah E. Cummings
The United States Constitution mandates that every man, woman, and child citizen of this country be counted every ten years. This process, known as the census, is scheduled to take place again on April 1, 2000. The main purpose of the census is to provide a tally for purposes of reapportionment. Reapportionment is the political process which determines the number of representatives (congressional, state and local) required by law for each political subdivision. The Constitution also requires "one man one vote" and that the population of each state be represented by a certain number of federal elected officials. The results of the census also have a special relationship to the distribution of resources by the government.
The data is used annually to determine the allocation of $108 billion in federal spending that your representatives in Washington direct for funding of initiatives such as better roads, transit systems, schools, senior citizens centers, health care facilities, school lunch programs, and enterprises supporting our children. If the census isn't accurate, local communities will not receive their fair share of federal dollars. Simply stated, the census has many important implications.
The controversy surrounding the census concerns America's need for a more accurate counting system. In 1990, over nine million people were not counted. Many were poor people living in cities or rural communities, African Americans, Latinos, immigrants and children. Census employees have had a difficult job because of the changes in living and working patterns. In addition to that, American households are shrinking in size, resulting in more residential places to visit. The increase in the number of dual income households (fewer people at home during the day) combined with the other factors add to the reasons for the undercount.
Despite the undercount, the cost of the census continues to rise. The 1990 census cost $2.6 billion. The year 2000 count is projected to cost $7.2 billion if the same techniques used in 1990 are used again. The cost for the next count can be reduced to only $4 billion if modern statistical methods are used. The proposed new methods are the same as those used by the government to calculate the unemployment rate and the Gross National Product, obviously important calculations.
The major issue facing the Census Bureau is to correct its follow-up counting procedures. "Undercounting" and "double counting" were the flaws of the past census'. The undercount of 1990 suffered from 26 million errors, resulting in four million people being counted twice and over nine million people missed. The last census undercounted African Americans by 4.4 percent, Hispanics by 5 percent, American Indians by 4.5 percent, and young Asian men by 10%. Over 3 percent of the children in the United States were not counted and 7 percent of black children were also missed.
The theory behind a precise census total is that it will result in more appropriate funding for undercounted groups. Losing 4.4% of $108 billion is like throwing away $475.2 million needed by programs throughout the country. The children of the 7th congressional district can be awarded a greater amount of funding for a program such as Healthy Start.
The Census Bureau has taken precautions to not repeat the inaccuracies of the past. The 2000 format is shorter and clearer. The new form will be the shortest it has been in 150 years---six questions. It should result in more completed and returned forms, and fewer Census Bureau field agents needed to perform follow-up research. Thus, this enables the Bureau to reduce cost and achieve the desired goal. Also, the Bureau plans to place $100 million in paid advertising to build awareness of how communities benefit from programs that hinge on census data.
The new census hopes to overcome the difficulties of the of the past by using the most advanced scientific techniques available to compensate for those who do not return the form. The benefit to the community is more funding for critical programs. Let's make the year 2000 census the most accurate in the history of the country. When you receive the form in the mail, please fill it out and immediately send it back. When the Bureau agents call or visit your home, give them correct information. Census officials have made assurances that the records are confidential and will be solely used for census purposes. Let's stand up and be counted so that we might pave the way for a brighter future.
-The Honorable Elijah E. Cummings represents the 7th Congressional District of Maryland in the United States House of Representatives.