Governor Rendell Completes and Returns His 2010 Census Form; Urges All Pennsylvanians to Do the Same

With Trillions in Funding at Stake, a Complete and Accurate Count is Essential

HARRISBURG, Pa., March 31 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On the eve of National Census Day, Governor Edward G. Rendell completed and returned his 2010 Census form and urged all Pennsylvanians to do the same.

The Governor said without a complete and accurate count of the state's population, Pennsylvania could lose critically needed federal funding and important political representation at the national level.

"Ensuring a complete and accurate Census count in Pennsylvania will determine how much in federal funding our state receives; it will determine how many representatives we have in Congress and how great our voice will be in Washington D.C.; and it helps make certain we have the infrastructure, resources and services our citizens need," said Governor Rendell. "The 10-question form each household received in the mail takes only 10 minutes to complete, but the answers to those questions will have consequences for the next 10 years. That's why it's so important that everyone take the time to fill it out and return it."

To date, the U.S. Census Bureau says only 56 percent of the forms mailed to Pennsylvania households have been returned. The Governor said that with so much at stake, the return rate must be increased.

"The respected accounting firm of PriceWaterhouseCoopers reported that Pennsylvania's population was undercounted by 102,000 people in 2000. We need to do everything we can to ensure that is not repeated during this count," said Governor Rendell.

He added that responding by mail helps to save the Census Bureau hundreds of millions of dollars by avoiding the need to send enumerators door-to-door.

"For every 1 percent increase in the participation rate by mail, the federal government saves $85 million by avoiding the need to send staff to visit homes and collect information in person."

More than $400 billion in federal funds are allocated among states each year based in all or in part on the results of the Census. Those funds help to support local schools, senior centers, job training programs, bridges, highways, public transit, and local emergency response services and training.

In January, Governor Rendell established the Census 2010 Advisory Panel to help facilitate an accurate count by working with community leaders and local complete count committees to reach people who do not typically participate in the Census.

Governor Rendell assured residents that the Census process is safe and the information collected is confidential.

"You would provide more information on a credit card application than you will by participating in the Census," said Governor Rendell. "And whatever information you provide, you can rest assured that it will be kept confidential. That's the law and there are strict penalties for those who break it."

For more information, visit 2010.census.gov.

Media contact: Gary Tuma, 717-783-1116

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor