As the deadline to complete the 2020 US Census looms The Bayou State is falling short in responding to the survey, which could put the state in danger of losing future funding and possible representation.
United States Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross says the national response rate to the Census is 64% and Louisiana is falling short at 58%.
“And the problem with that is, that every person that’s undercounted, is going to cost your community $2,300 a year for the next ten years,” says Ross.
Ross says if your community is 5% undercounted that could be a loss of $15 million over the next decade.
Ross says being undercounted in the Census could adversely affect funding for schools, roads and hospitals and could also affect Congressional representation.
“And depending on your response rate, if you got to be a very high percentage response rate, you may not lose that seat,” says Ross.
You are required by law to answer the Census and Ross says the questionnaire takes approximately 10 minutes to complete, if not you will be visited by a Census worker.
“Up to as many as five or six times, seeking a response. So, if people do not want to be pestered, the best way to make sure they are not pestered is to fill out the form and send it in,” says Ross.
Census enumerators take a lifelong oath of office and it is a Federal Offense to reveal any personal information obtained during the Census.
Written and reported by Brooke Thorington.
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