In Spite of Government Shutdown 2020 Census Funding Continues – For Now
Because of forward funding in FY 2018 for the 2020 Census, the decennial’s staff working at both the Census Bureau’s headquarters and in the regional offices continues on the job. This required special action by the Census Bureau and was anticipated by a Census Project letter pointing out the effects of a possible shutdown on the decennial census.
However, should the shutdown continue for weeks into next year, 2020 Census forward funding will eventually be depleted.
Citizenship Trials
It is expected that the decision in the New York trial in federal court challenging the insertion of a citizenship question on the 2020 Census form will be announced in early January.
Meanwhile, the California trial in federal court in San Francisco on the same issue begins on January 7. And, a trial in Maryland on another challenge begins later in January.
Dillingham Nomination
The U.S. Senate failed to confirm the nomination of Dr. Steven Dillingham in time for the end-of-the-year recess. Previously, the Census Project sent a letter to Senate leaders urging the confirmation vote be taken expeditiously.
New Reports
The Funders Census Initiative produced a new report listing the important milestones needed to complete 2020 Census planning.
In addition, Dr. Andrew Reamer of George Washington University completed an expanded version of his study on rural America’s stake in a fair and accurate census.
News You Can Use
Important coverage of 2020 Census issues by the media include:
- https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/what-could-go-wrong-2020-census-almost-everything-government-watchdog-n947761
- https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/outlook/article/Countdown-for-the-2020-Census-We-are-ready-13480699.php
- https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/17/opinion/2020-census-citizenship-latinos-immigrants.html?rref=collection%2Fbyline%2Fdavid-leonhardt&action=click&contentCollection=undefined®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=collection
- https://www.npr.org/2018/12/06/674107748/census-bureau-to-test-how-controversial-citizenship-question-affects-responses
Census Project Leadership Transition
Census Project co-director Phil Sparks retired at the end of 2018. Therefore, the Project’s leadership is now being coordinated by co-directors Mary Jo Hoeksema and Howard Fienberg.
The Census Project 