Fighting for an Accurate and Fair 2020 Census

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​Nancy Martira

Tomorrow, August 7, 2018, is the last day to submit public comment on the 2020 Census. Searchlight New Mexico has a thorough examination of why New Mexicans have historically been so difficult to count, and how that results in loss of funding for vital programs. A fair and accurate count is further jeopardized by the proposed addition of a citizenship question in the 2020 Census.  We believe that adding a citizenship question will only lower the response rate, make the census less accurate while costing more, and further divide our country. 

"The stakes are huge — especially in a state such as New Mexico, which depends on federal funding for programs that lie at the heart of child well-being. Of the 300 federal assistance programs that rely on the census, the largest is Medicaid, which in 2015 distributed about $2.4 billion in assistance to New Mexico. In order to receive the appropriate federal funding for these programs for the next 10 years, New Mexico needs an accurate representation in the census."

The are numerous places online where you can submit a comment.  Some forms make it particularly easy for individuals by pre-populating a response - just add your contact information and send. 

Below the jump, you'll find the full text of the letter submitted by Prosperity Works on behalf of all New Mexicans.  Please join us in the fight to #SavetheCensus. 

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