Texas won't spend $$ on 2020 census

[ChillyMcFreeze]

www.npr.org/2019/07/16/741325838/texas-and-other-states-decide-not-to-spend-money-on-2020-census

In today's edition of "what enraged me on my morning commute": Texas is phoning in the 2020 census to ensure Republicans retain control in next year's redistricting. Of course, this will result in an undercount, which means no new money for services. 

"Texas is already at a high risk of an undercount," she says. "That is because we have a higher percentage of what are considered hard-to-count populations."



That includes low-income populations, immigrant families and young children, Beeson says.



"We have a particularly high risk of an undercount of young children because we have so many," she says.



The Center for Public Policy Priorities estimates that a mere 1% undercount could cost Texas $300 million in federal funding a year.



That's much-needed funding, Beeson says, that would pay for education, transportation and health care programs in the state.

If you hear of grassroots efforts to promote the census in Texas (or in any state really), share them widely! After the presidential election, Census repression will be one of the most damning things to happen in 2020 politics.

[lolo]

Feb 10, 2020 12:28:21 GMT -5 ChillyMcFreeze said:

www.npr.org/2019/07/16/741325838/texas-and-other-states-decide-not-to-spend-money-on-2020-census

In today's edition of "what enraged me on my morning commute": Texas is phoning in the 2020 census to ensure Republicans retain control in next year's redistricting. Of course, this will result in an undercount, which means no new money for services. 

"Texas is already at a high risk of an undercount," she says. "That is because we have a higher percentage of what are considered hard-to-count populations."



That includes low-income populations, immigrant families and young children, Beeson says.



"We have a particularly high risk of an undercount of young children because we have so many," she says.



The Center for Public Policy Priorities estimates that a mere 1% undercount could cost Texas $300 million in federal funding a year.



That's much-needed funding, Beeson says, that would pay for education, transportation and health care programs in the state.

If you hear of grassroots efforts to promote the census in Texas (or in any state really), share them widely! After the presidential election, Census repression will be one of the most damning things to happen in 2020 politics.

@@@

In my state (California), state and local PTAs are promoting the census. I'm not sure if the same is true in Texas, but it might be something to look into.

[turnipthebeet]

This has happened in Nebraska. Our legislature approved funding for a Complete Count Committee (bipartisan bill) and the Governor vetoed it. It's a complete sham.
Our Governor, Pete Ricketts, is a complete joke. He paid for this seat and his intent is to head all the way up to the White House. Not sure where his next step is.

[Velar Fricative]

As someone whose organization is pushing the Census to undercounted communities thanks to city and state funding specifically for Census promotion...basically, only the blue states are spending money on this effort.

[turnipthebeet]

Feb 10, 2020 15:50:26 GMT -5 Velar Fricative said:

As someone whose organization is pushing the Census to undercounted communities thanks to city and state funding specifically for Census promotion...basically, only the blue states are spending money on this effort.

I had heard that all but 4 states had approved statewide complete count committees. 

The other thing that is kneecapping the census efforts nationally is that funding for the Census was frozen at 2010 levels, which means fewer resources than ever to actually conduct the census. 

[Velar Fricative]

Feb 10, 2020 15:59:15 GMT -5 turnipthebeet said:

Feb 10, 2020 15:50:26 GMT -5 Velar Fricative said:

As someone whose organization is pushing the Census to undercounted communities thanks to city and state funding specifically for Census promotion...basically, only the blue states are spending money on this effort.

I had heard that all but 4 states had approved statewide complete count committees. 

The other thing that is kneecapping the census efforts nationally is that funding for the Census was frozen at 2010 levels, which means fewer resources than ever to actually conduct the census. 

The article with information I was referencing is this one from December:

www.nytimes.com/2019/12/15/us/census-california-texas-undercount.html

It’s possible more states have invested money since then but it was a pretty stark divide back in December and I figured there wouldn’t be much of a narrowing of that divide since then. But maybe?

[Michelle]

A lot of Texans are ignoramuses about why they should participate in the census.

My Texas county sent out a facebook alert to encourage people to participate. Here are some of the replies:

Person, who tagged another person: [name] last I checked only the number of persons in my house, is the constitutional requirement. Is that correct?
For all else they need to pay/coerce Google/Facebook for. The latter sources will tell them what each person in my house had for breakfast three Tuesdays ago.

[Sherrif], do I call you before or after I shoot em and the dogs eat em ? Asking for a friend.

I tell them I gave at the office and shut the door. It's none of anyone business who lives in my house.

What ever happened to receiving a paper in the mail to ask for info? I'm not opening my door for a stranger!

Taxation is theft!

::insert eyeroll::

[sillygoosegirl]

If they undercount, doesn't that mean they get fewer seats in the House and fewer electoral votes for president?

[hocus2]

Feb 10, 2020 20:49:18 GMT -5 sillygoosegirl said:

If they undercount, doesn't that mean they get fewer seats in the House and fewer electoral votes for president?

  Yes an under count hurts them if it is deep enough but if you look under the state level they may feel that under counting area with high democratic bases (like urban centers) helps them locally perverse power in the red area and/or helps with the house mix because if they have 1 less seat overall but have more reds seats they may consider it a win.


Overall even in an under count TX is likely to pick up a seat so they may not feel any urgency.

[LoveTrains]

Feb 10, 2020 20:49:18 GMT -5 sillygoosegirl said:

If they undercount, doesn't that mean they get fewer seats in the House and fewer electoral votes for president?

Yes! They are heavily promoting the census in my state bc there is a fear we will lose a congressional seat and then it will be a crazy fight for the remaining seat.