Press Releases
03/19/2019
LT. GOV. BYSIEWICZ, CONGRESSWOMAN HAYES & WATERBURY OFFICIALS LAUNCH CITY’S 2020 CENSUS EFFORTS
HARTFORD— Today, Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz joined Congresswoman Jahana Hayes, Waterbury Mayor Neil M. O’Leary, and other members of the Greater Waterbury community to highlight the importance of a complete count for the 2020 Census.
“Census data is used to determine federal funds for vital programs that many Waterbury residents depend on, including Medicaid, Pell Grants, children’s health insurance, highway planning & construction, nutritional assistance and more,” Lt. Gov. Bysiewicz said. “I applaud Mayor O’Leary and the City of Waterbury for making the 2020 Census a priority and launching their complete count committee today.”
“I cannot over stress how important it is to make sure every person in Connecticut is counted in the upcoming census,” said Congresswoman Hayes. “An accurate count of the people living in our state will determine crucial things like funding, representation and much more. These are things that will directly impact the lives of residents and the support they will receive. I urge everyone to stand up and be counted.”
In February, Lt. Gov. Bysiewicz launched the Connecticut Complete Count Committee to ensure Connecticut would be the best-counted state in the nation.
Similar to the state-wide committee, the Waterbury Local Complete Count Committee will work together to analyze previous census undercounts and recommend strategies to achieve a full count in Connecticut for this upcoming census.
“The state of Connecticut receives over $11 billion dollars from the federal government as a result of census numbers collected once every decade,” Mayor O’Leary said. “These federal funds are used to fund vital state programs including Medicaid, Pell Grants, children’s health insurance, highway planning & construction, nutritional assistance and many more.”
Roughly 22 percent of Connecticut is considered “hard to reach” communities. Among these demographics include young adult males, individuals with impermanent housing and immigrant communities.
“Once again, the residents of Waterbury have an opportunity to work together towards a common goal,” said Victor Lopez Jr., Executive Director of the Hispanic Coalition. “For my fellow Brass City residents, achieving a complete count during Census 2020 is our shared and inherent responsibility, and as always, we will rise to the occasion.”
Although undercounts have been a persistent problem, the 2020 Census will make completing information easier than ever before as this will be the first time residents can fill out their information online. Beginning in early 2020, the public will be able to complete their census information using a computer or phone, in addition to mailing in their form.
Waterbury Public Libraries will provide all the resources necessary for residents to complete their census, even if they do not have access to a computer or require translation services at home.
Contact
Juliemar OrtizPress Secretary
Juliemar.ortiz@ct.gov
Office: 860-524-7346
Cell: 860-278-6809