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4/2/2019
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Sen. Cano introduces resolution calling for 2020 Census participation; will testify before Finance Committee in support of Complete Count Initiative
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 STATE HOUSE – At a rally held in the State House rotunda, Sen. Sandra Cano (D-Dist. 8, Pawtucket) announced she will be introducing a resolution to support the efforts of the Rhode Island Complete Count Committee to ensure that every Rhode Island resident is counted in the upcoming 2020 Census. The committee was created by Governor Raimondo last year through an executive order. It is has been tasked with developing and recommending a census outreach strategy to encourage full participation in the 2020 federal Census.
“An accurate census count is crucial to our state because if our census count is too low in 2020, we may lose a congressional seat and our state would be deprived of much needed federal dollars. I know of many people who are scared to participate due to the rhetoric coming out of Washington but it truly is urgent that everyone responds to the 2020 census so that we do not lose out on a decade’s worth of federal dollars,” said Senator Cano.
The rally was co-emceed by RI Complete Count co-chairs Mayor James Diossa of Central Falls and Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott, Director of the RI Department of Health. Senator Cano was joined by fellow speakers Senate Majority Leader Michael J. McCaffrey (D-Dist. 29, Warwick), House Majority Leader K. Joseph Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick), companion legislation sponsor Rep. Anastasia P. Williams (D-Dist. 9, Providence), Treasurer Seth Magaziner, Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea, Attorney General Peter Neronha and RI AFL-CIO President George Nee.
The Committee's outreach strategy includes--but is not limited to--initiatives to encourage participation in the 2020 Census, the establishment and support of school-based outreach programs, partnerships with non-profit community-based organizations and a multi-lingual, multi-media campaign designed to ensure an accurate and complete count of Rhode Island's population.
Later in the evening, Senator Cano will lead a hearing in the Senate Finance Committee where she will advocate for funding in the state budget for the Census 2020 and Complete Count Initiative. Senator Cano will stress the importance of a complete and accurate census count to her colleagues on the Finance Committee.
Governor Raimondo has included $150,000 in her budget proposal for the Complete Count Committee. Senator Cano is advocating for the General Assembly to increase that amount to $500,000 in the state budget.
“The upcoming census will determine our federal funding for the next decade. It is imperative that we have an accurate count so that the proper and necessary amount of federal dollars is applied to Rhode Island’s residents. This extra appropriation of $350,000 in the state budget is a small investment for the billions of dollars in federal money that is at stake so we must take the census count very seriously,” said Senator Cano.
For more information, contact:
Andrew Caruolo, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-6124
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