Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman GABRIELA M. MOSQUERA
District 4 (Camden and Gloucester)
SYNOPSIS
Urges counties and municipalities to create 2020 Census Complete Count Committees.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution urging counties and municipalities to create 2020 Census Complete Count Committees.
Whereas, This year, the federal government, through the United States Census Bureau, will count everyone residing in the United States through a process known as the Census, which occurs at the beginning of each decade; and
Whereas, The United States Census Bureau must submit state population totals to the President of the United States by December 31, 2020; and
Whereas, It is imperative for the State of New Jersey that the count of our residents be as thorough and complete as possible, as the State's legislative districts and congressional districts will be redrawn, through a process known as redistricting, using the Census data collected in New Jersey by Census workers, and to ensure the State's residents of equal representation in the New Jersey Legislature and in Congress; and
Whereas, These legislative and congressional districts will remain in place until the 2030 Census and will affect all legislative and congressional elections for the next decade, making it critical that every New Jersey resident be counted in the 2020 Census; and
Whereas, The federal government also uses census data to designate funds for public services in New Jersey, such as Medicaid, hospital funding, Title I school funding, childcare, student loans, highway and transportation funding, and school meal programs; and
Whereas, The United States Census Bureau has created a program to develop "Complete Count Committees," the purpose of which is to use county and municipal officials, together with community and faith-based organizations and other community influencers, to reach individuals and families to explain the importance of all local residents taking part in the 2020 Census; and
Whereas, The United States Census Bureau believes that local Complete Count Committees will further the goal of counting every United States resident in the place where they live, through establishing an "information highway" of neighbor informing neighbor of the importance of participation in the 2020 Census, helping to maximize participation and response rates by State residents by increasing and maintaining public awareness throughout the 2020 census, leading to an accurate 2020 Census count in New Jersey; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House encourages every county and municipality in this State to create a Complete Count Committee for the 2020 Census in order to educate the State's residents about the importance of taking part in the 2020 Census.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the governing body of every county and municipality in this State.
STATEMENT
This Assembly Resolution encourages every county and municipality in this State to create a Complete Count Committee for the 2020 Census in order to educate the State's residents about the importance of taking part in the 2020 Census.