Despite Calls for a Census Boycott, Perea Urges Latino Community to Be Counted
03/17/2010
Fresno, CA (March 17, 2010) Councilmember Perea would like to respond to groups discouraging people from participating in the 2010 census and encourage everyone in the central valley, especially the Latino community, to complete and mail back their census forms. The 2010 census will be used to determine populations and how to distribute government funds. The information is not used for other purposes and an inaccurate count could result in some areas or groups being shortchanged much needed money.
“I know there has been some controversy around this year’s census and some groups such as the Mexican-American Political Association are encouraging Latinos to discard their census forms but I want to strongly urge everyone to participate. It’s especially important for typically underrepresented groups such as Latinos to get involved; we know particular groups and areas have had a history of being undercounted and when that happens they lose their fair share of tax dollars but the only way to correct that is to fully participate. I want to make sure, by encouraging everyone to fully complete their census forms, that Fresno and the central valley get their fair share.”
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