TEXAS CENSUS WORRIES - There has been plenty of concern at the national level on how well the federal government is preparing for the 2020 Census -- including concerns that the government will undercount people of color. There’s also a lawsuit claiming the government is not investing the money needed to do an accurate count of the country. Both those concerns hit home in Texas, a fast growing state where people of color make up a majority of the population. State Representative Cesar Blanco, Democrat from El Paso, says a correct count is needed to bring federal funds to Texas.
“Texas receives about 43 billion dollars in census directed funds," Blanco explained. "We’re talking about Medicaid, we’re talking about childcare, we’re talking about infrastructure and our roads and we want to make sure Texas receives its fair share.”
Blanco has filed a bill he calls "The Every Texan Counts" Act to encourage the state’s full participation in the 2020 Census, including creating outreach programs and a commission to oversee the effort.
