A lot riding on census count for Dallas area

Saturday, January 30, 2010

By: Mercedes Olivera / Special Contributor to The Dallas Morning News

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/localnews/columnists/molivera/stories/DN-olivera_30met.ART.State.Edition1.4bbe7b3.html

Texas could gain between three and five congressional seats after the 2010 census is tallied – more than any other state.

Besides more representation, additional seats would mean a bigger slice of federal resources and funds – more than $400 billion is doled out each year based on population data. And Texas certainly could use its share for hospitals, schools and roads.

But we need an accurate count to make it happen.

Unfortunately, Texas also ranks second behind California among states with hard-to-count populations, according to a study of census data by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. More than a quarter of Texas' population lives in hard-to-count areas, according to the study.

And Dallas and Harris are among the top 10 counties with the greatest number of people living in hard-to-count areas. They also happen to be counties with large Hispanic populations.

The data has spurred several national Hispanic organizations to mobilize to ensure an accurate headcount of all Latinos by April 1. Next month will see a flurry of activity by local and national organizations and officials...Read More

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[Posted by Michael Felix]