Pennsylvania is at risk of an undercount in the 2020 Census.
Our state receives over $39 billion in annual funding from the 55 largest federal programs that rely on Census data to calculate funding, and if every Pennsylvanian isn’t counted next year, the Commonwealth stands to lose tens of millions of dollars over the coming decade.
That would mean a significant loss of federal funds for healthcare, nutrition assistance, transportation, housing, education, programs for children and parents, and much more.
We must act now to prevent an undercount that would further entrench systemic inequities regarding who is entitled to funding and representation.
Pennsylvania’s annual budget is due at the end of the month, and Governor Wolf’s Complete Count Commission has recommended investing $12.8 million, or just one dollar per Pennsylvanian, to ensure that Pennsylvania receives the federal funds it deserves.
What We Need You to Do
- Call your legislator by June 17 and let them know that every Pennsylvanian should count in 2020, and ask them to support a public fund of $.12.8 million for the Census to prevent an undercount! You can find your state legislators here.
- Need help with what to say? Our friends at Pennsylvania Health Access Network wrote this script to help you make a call.
- We also encourage you to send an email, tweet, and post on Facebook to help spread the word.
Time is of the essence! This budget cycle is the last opportunity to make this critical investment, and time is running out. Thank you for taking action!
The Women’s Law Project is a public interest law center devoted to defending and expanding the rights of women, girls, and LGBTQ people in Pennsylvania and beyond.
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