Residents of Hillsborough and Pasco counties are being urged by government officials to respond to the 2020 Census.
Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore is urging citizens to take part in the nation’s official count.
April 1 is officially Census Day, meaning the number of people staying in your household must be counted to assure that communities receive their fair share of federal funding, and that congressional representation is properly apportioned.
“This is the first time the Census has had an online option for self-response. If you prefer, you can still submit your census by mail, telephone or in person to a Census Bureau representative,” Moore said, in a letter sent to news media outlets.
“Beginning in May, Census Bureau representatives will be following up to addresses that did not respond.
“It is important to know you will never be asked for sensitive personal information, such as Social Security or bank account numbers, by a Census Bureau employee. Your responses are secure, confidential and protected by federal law,” he added.
Moore also noted that Pasco County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Florida, and participation in the Census helps provide federal funding for roads, schools, public programs and reapportionment for the U.S. House of Representatives.
Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey also is encouraging participation in the 2020 Census, in a newsletter sent out by her office.
She notes that responding takes about 10 minutes.
“It is your civic duty to respond, but it is also a way to make for a better future for your community,” the newsletter says.
Hillsborough County officials also are urging participation.
On its website, Hillsborough notes that it’s Florida’s fourth-largest county, and is already bigger than 10 U.S. states.
During the 2020 Census, the county notes that it “is poised to potentially be counted as home to 1.5 million.”
It also explains why the count matters.
Besides affecting congressional representation, “It also helps with distribution of federal and state funding.
“Education, health care, law enforcement and highways are just some of the things that receive funding based on population,” the website says.
Published April 1, 2020
