The New York State Legislature will soon engage in budget negotiations for FY 2019-2020. Census data decides how much of the $800 billion dollars in federal funding New Yorkers will receive for the next ten years, the number of seats New York has in the House of Representatives, and redistricting for Congressional, state, and local district lines. An accurate count helps New York's economy, jobs, schools, medical services, infrastructure, political power, and the quality of life for everyone.

In order to maximize participation and avoid an undercount in 2020, the New York community-based organizations need funding to step up their outreach and education to ensure every New Yorker knows the importance of filling out the Census. Because of their earned trust and cultural and language competence, community groups are uniquely positioned to reach the hardest-to-count areas. They also can encourage the critical institutions they have strong relationships with, like hospitals and schools, to ensure more New Yorkers are included in the count.
 
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To Governor Cuomo and New York State legislators:

We, the undersigned residents of New York State, urge you to allocate $40 million ($2.00 per person in NY State) for community-based groups to do the necessary outreach and education on Census participation.  These groups can provide the assistance to maximize an accurate count of New York State in 2020.  The more people counted means more federal dollars to ensure that critical health, housing, education, and infrastructure needs of New Yorkers are met. Census data must be accurate so businesses can keep New York’s economy growing, job opportunities plentiful, and the State of New York's political power strong.