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Event Announcement: Politics, Policy and the 2010 Decennial Census

WASHINGTON, March 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With the 2010 Census a little over a year away, the nation is at a critical juncture in planning for the next decennial enumeration. There is much at stake. Without a full count of the U.S. population, Congress and the administration will lack the data necessary for reapportionment and redistricting, to make critical decisions about community services, and to distribute $300 billion in federal funds to state and local governments every year.

On March 18, the Brookings Institution and the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) will host a discussion on urgent and emerging issues affecting the coming Census. Brookings Vice President Darrell West will set the context on new political realities and how this weighs on the 2010 Census. The panelists, moderated by NPR's Ron Elving, will consider the capacity of the Census Bureau, including an assessment of the funds provided in the economic stimulus plan and the Obama administration's budget.

The forum will also explore the issues facing the Census Bureau as it prepares to implement its communications and outreach plan-a key element in meeting the challenge of reaching Latinos and other hard-to-count populations-with an emphasis on the impact of the nation's changing demographics and political climate. Brookings Fellow Andrew Reamer will provide introductory and closing remarks. After the program, panelists will take audience questions.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Brookings Institution, Falk Auditorium, 1775 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C.

Introduction

Andrew Reamer

Fellow

The Brookings Institution

Welcoming Remarks

Darrell M. West

Vice President and Director, Governance Studies

The Brookings Institution

Panel Discussion

Ron Elving (Moderator)