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An old tradition continues |
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Wednesday, 10 March 2010 |
Mike Beebe — Governor
In the coming weeks, we will all be receiving our 2010 Census forms in the mail. Established by Article I of the U.S. Constitution, the census is one of America's oldest traditions.
While the method of counting Americans has changed over the decades, the significance of being counted remains the same.
Completing the 2010 Census form helps ensure that a fair share of the federal taxes we pay to Washington, D.C., comes back home to serve Arkansas.
Every 10 years, the census collects population information to formulate how hundreds of billions of our tax dollars are distributed throughout the country for infrastructure and services, including hospitals, roads, schools, and emergency response.
These decisions are based on population records developed from the census forms that are filled out and returned across America. We need all Arkansans to take part in the 2010 Census to capture a full snapshot of our population.
This year's census form, which should arrive in the mail during the next few weeks, includes only ten simple questions. These basic questions ask about who you are, where you live, and how many people live in your home.
There are no questions about political preference, religion, or income, and you will not be asked to provide your Social Security Number.
In fact, the entire form can be viewed ahead of time online at census.gov, where you can also find answers to common questions regarding the census. It shouldn't take more than ten minutes to complete the form, and you don't have to pay any postage to send it back.
Door-to-door census takers are still part of the process, but only as a follow-up. The initial outreach to all Americans will be by mail.
The Arkansas office established by census officials has been hiring Arkansans to assist in that process.
In communities across Arkansas, volunteer groups called Complete Count Committees are working to improve neighborhood awareness of the census and increase Arkansas's participation.
In 2000, about 68% of Arkansans responded to the census, which was below the national average.
By reminding our families, friends, and neighbors to fill out their census forms, we can improve that number and make certain that Arkansas is better represented this time around.
The results of the 2010 Census will greatly impact how our State is treated at the national level for the next ten years.
The census is not a political undertaking; the people conducting it have no agenda beyond fulfilling their duty as laid out in the U.S. Constitution. The data the census generates establishes the make-up of our representative government.
While we all have an obligation to stand up and be counted, fulfilling that obligation is easier than ever before. Ten questions, ten minutes, and you've helped do your part for Arkansas and for America.
(Gov. Mike Beebe writes a weekly column.)
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 17 March 2010 )
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