2010 Census Kicks Off

By BJ Austin, KERA News

Dallas, TX – 2010 U.S. Census forms are arriving in the mail this week. KERA's BJ Austin says the forms have been streamlined, and officials hope that will encourage people to fill them out.

Dallas Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Pauline Medrano, co-chair of the U.S. Census Advisory Committee, says it's very important for people to be counted.

Medrano: It is the first time in history since 1790 that there are only ten questions on the Census form. Complete em. Send it in by April 1st. April the first is Census Day. And, you're done with it.

Medrano says the 2010 Census will determine political representation in Congress and state Legislatures, as well as federal funding for programs such as Head Start, Medicaid, and transportation improvements. She says the census count is also plays a critical factor in local economic development.

Medrano: Folks say why don't I have a grocery store near my neighborhood? Well, grocery stores, and shopping centers and big box stores don't come where people don't live.

Medrano says the new, ten question form takes about ten minutes to fill out and will impact life in our communities, cities and states for the next ten years.

Link to sample census form

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