This week, CPPP, along with the National Association of Latino and Appointed Officials (NALEO) and the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF) urged state leaders to support a robust strategy to make sure Texans are counted in the 2020 Census. As a state with a larger population of hard-to-count communities than most other states, Texas is at risk of losing out on the federal funding and representation we deserve if Texans are counted with less accuracy than residents of other states.
What’s at Stake?
Texas communities have been historically undercounted. Billions of dollars in federal aid over the next decade depend on the accuracy of the Census, including significant support for health care, housing, transportation, food and more. Being undercounted by even one percent in 2020 could result in a significant loss in federal funding for Texas—at least $300 million a year.
In 2010, significant undercounts occurred in areas across Texas, including in portions of:
- Large metropolitan areas
- College towns
- Rural counties
- Communities along the Texas/Mexico border
Don’t let Texas fall behind.
Many other states have already made significant commitments to ensure an accurate and full count of their states during Census 2020 to make sure they don’t lose out on critical federal tax dollars or Congressional representation. It’s time for current Texas leaders to make the same commitment to protecting our voice, our quality of life, and our economy.
Check out CPPP’s latest fact sheet and read our testimony from this week’s Office of the Texas Secretary of State budget hearing to learn more.