Folks:
This could be a big deal.
John Leatherman
Department of Agricultural Economics
Kansas State University
331G Waters Hall
Manhattan, KS 66506-4026
Phone: 785-532-4492
Fax: 785-532-6925
E-mail: jleat...@k-state.edu
Website: www.ksu-olg.info
From: "Tamara Wagester-Subrick (C-FARE)" <tamarawages...@cfare.org>
To:
Sent: Thursday, May 10, 2012 3:54:28 PM
Subject: Update on Census Bureau's American Community Survey
Last night the U.S. House of Representatives voted (232 - 190) to eliminate all
funding for the Census Bureau's American Community Survey. This survey replaced
the traditional census long form starting with the 2010 Census. Before the
House considered the Webster amendment, it approved, by voice vote, an
amendment sponsored by Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX) to make response to the ACS
voluntary, by prohibiting both the Census Bureau and the Justice Department
from using funds to enforce penalties in the Census Act that make survey
response mandatory. The Senate is expected to take up the FY2013 Commerce,
Justice, and Science Appropriations bill next week.
C-FARE welcomes quotes and statements from any researchers who use this data.
We will use these statements as we communicate with staff to educate them
regarding the value of these programs.
C-FARE
202-408-8522
www.cfare.org
And, from the Association of Public Data Users:
Data Advocacy Alert: U.S. House Votes to Eliminate American Community Survey
The U.S. House of Representatives voted on May 9th to eliminate the American
Community Survey (ACS). This amendment to the FY2013 Commerce, Justice, and
Science appropriations bill passed by a vote of 232 to 190. Right before this
vote, the House passed the Webster amendment, approved by voice vote and
sponsored by Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX), to make response to the ACS voluntary by
prohibiting both the Census Bureau and the Justice Department from using funds
to enforce penalties in the Census Act that make survey response mandatory.
The outcome of this vote demonstrates the importance of proactivity among data
users in conveying their support for the ACS and other surveys to all members
of the House and Senate. The Senate is expected to take up the FY2013
Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations bill shortly.
There are two ways your organization can support the ACS and ensure continued
access to the timely, local data produced through this survey:
Contact your senators and/or work with your organization’s
intergovernmental office to facilitate communication with the U.S. Senate about
the importance of the ACS. State and local data users are encouraged to
provide clear examples of how the ACS is used in their state and community for
policymaking.
Signing on to the Census Project’s letter opposing the House funding cuts
and votes to make the ACS voluntary and then eliminate the survey. A draft
version of the letter is available here for viewing, subject to non-substantive
edits. Please contact Terri Ann Lowenthal with questions and to sign on to the
letter. The Census Project asks that sign-on is at the organizational, not
individual, level.
The Census Project has a wealth of resources available for those looking for
more information on the constitutional foundation for the ACS and its
importance to the economy. Learn more on The Census Project website.
