Skip to main content

2020 Census impacts $150 billion in annual federal funds and state's level of federal representation

Subhead
Star Herald Editorial

Marking one year until Census Day 2020, Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan joined the co-chairs of the Minnesota Complete Count Committee to kick off Minnesota’s “We Count” Census campaign on Monday, April 1.
The campaign brings together a statewide coalition of counties, cities, nonprofits, foundations, and advocacy groups to support an accurate and fully inclusive 2020 Census count in Minnesota.
“The census is more than just a count; it is about making sure everyone in Minnesota feels seen, heard, and valued,” Gov. Walz said.
“The census is an opportunity to claim a seat at the table because being counted means being visible, and being visible means Minnesotans are able to stake claim to their fair share of political representation and resources.”
A complete count is essential for Minnesota due to its impact on federal funding and federal representation.
The 2020 Census count will guide the distribution of more than $150 billion in federal funding to Minnesota communities between 2020 and 2030. Census data are used to allocate funds for a range of public services including education, health care, housing and transportation.
The 2020 Census will also determine the number of seats Minnesota has in the U.S. House of Representatives.
In 2010 Minnesota barely retained eight Congressional seats by a slim margin of just 8,000 residents.
“When people understand that the census is an important part of getting much-needed resources for their communities, they begin to understand the power that being counted holds,” Flanagan said.
A range of Minnesota cities — including Luverne — have organized “Complete Count Committees” to strategize for the U.S. Census 2020 (see the related Star Herald story).
In Luverne the Complete Count Committee is determined to count every resident with an eye toward breaking the 5,000 population threshold that would qualify the city for a higher level of state and federal support.
Luverne’s current population is 4,745 according to the 2010 census.
City councils (including Luverne’s) and county boards are also passing resolutions to recognize the importance of the census and to kick off their yearlong Census efforts.
To date, more than 100 cities and counties across the state have committed to promoting the census in their own communities over the next year.
Information about the CCC and the 2020 census is available on the city of Luverne website www.cityofluverne.org/2020census.
 

You must log in to continue reading. Log in or subscribe today.