What takes 10 minutes, costs nothing, and ensures Minnesota is properly represented in the federal government? If you guessed the 2010 U.S. Census you’re right — and I hope you plan to complete your form. If not, I urge you to do so, because without our residents’ cooperation, Minnesota stands to lose millions in federal funding and a congressional seat in Washington, D.C.
A few blank Census forms sitting in a waste basket could be the difference between Minnesota keeping all eight of its congressional seats or losing one. Our State Demographer Tom Gillapsy said 1,100 people could be the difference between seven and eight congressional seats. It’s important that every person be accounted for, so Minnesota has the representation it deserves when important decisions are made at the nation’s capitol.
In addition to losing a congressional seat, Minnesota could also lose millions in funding if our residents don’t partake in the Census. Every year, the federal government allocates $400 billion to states, and it bases who gets how much on the most recent Census numbers. For every 100 residents who fail to complete the Census, Minnesota loses out on $1.3 million over the next 10 years. Failure to answer the Census could also hurt west central Minnesota. The state government uses population numbers to decide funding allocations for counties and municipalities.
The U.S. Census is taken every 10 years and is meant to count everyone in the United States. Forms will be mailed out in mid-March, and they are to be sent back by April 1. The form is only one page and asks very basic questions about you and your household.
The Census is a tool that provides all kinds of valuable information to a community. It tells us how many kids are living in an area, so we know where to build schools. It tells Hospitals where people live, so they can build clinics to serve those people. It tells us where our older folks live, so we have the facilities to ensure they can get the services they need. It tells us how to plan out cities, towns and counties, and where we need to build roads and other infrastructure. Businesses use it to analyze markets and decide where they want to open or grow.
The Census in many ways is the foundation for the most basic yet vital decisions our society makes, but it’s only a once-a-decade chance to make sure Minnesotans get a fair shake.
Rep. Lyle Koenen represents District 20Bwhcih includes Chippewa County, Renville County and the eastern half of Yellow Medicine County.
