WHEREAS:
The United States Census is the basis for the distribution of federal and state funding and the apportionment of Congressional and legislative districts; and
WHEREAS:
According to the Census Bureau, the 1990 census missed 8.4 million people and double-counted 4.4 million others. While missing or miscounting so many people is a problem, children, people of color and the rural and urban poor are disproportionately more likely not to be counted. Nationally, the 1990 Census missed 4.4% of African Americans, 5% of persons of Hispanic origin, 2.3% of Asians and Pacific Islanders, and 12.2% of Native Americans living on reservations. Most of all, two million children were missed. In 1990, children made up approximately 26% of the entire U.S. population, but made up 52% of the undercount; and
WHEREAS:
As a result of the inaccuracy of the 1990 census, many individuals were denied an equal voice in their government and many communities were shortchanged on federal and state spending for schools, crime prevention, health care, and transportation. The communities that were shortchanged were those most in need of social services and economic development programs. This has meant a continuing hardship for state and local officials trying to serve the needs of their communities because millions of dollars are incorrectly distributed each year based on inaccurate figures; and
WHEREAS:
As we learned in 1990, the Census will not reach everyone no matter how intensive the Bureau's effort. After visits to unresponsive households are completed, census takers will conduct a large, quality check statistical survey of representative households nationwide to ensure the accuracy of the final Census numbers. This "post enumeration survey" will measure how many people were missed or counted twice during the direct counting operations and provide the basis for a possible correction of the initial tally. In this way, the Census Bureau will have made every effort to count everyone in 2000; and
WHEREAS:
After completion of the Census, the Census Bureau will present two sets of numbers to the next President's Secretary of Commerce in January 2001; the corrected, adjusted numbers and a set of unadjusted, uncorrected numbers. The Secretary will decide if both sets of numbers will be made available to each state; and
WHEREAS:
If both sets of numbers are released, each state will have the choice of which set of numbers they will use for redistricting; and
WHEREAS:
Republican-controlled state legislatures across the country are passing bills or resolutions prohibiting their state from using adjusted, corrected census numbers for redistricting purposes.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
That AFSCME urge state legislators and the next President of the United States to support the use of adjusted, corrected Census 2000 numbers, to ensure that our communities and members receive their fair share of federal funds and political representation.
SUBMITTED BY:
INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE BOARD