City of Sarasota Elected Leaders Join Florida TaxWatch to Reiterate Importance of Increased Participation in the 2020 Census
Sarasota, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) along with elected leaders from the City of Sarasota highlighted the need for community participation in the 2020 Census. As the third largest and fourth fastest growing state in the country, the upcoming Federal Census count will be more important to the Sunshine State than nearly any other state. Federal grant programs distribute $700 billion using census data. If Florida is under-represented by the count, it could cost the state millions, or even billions, of dollars. Florida’s state and local officials need to immediately start ensuring the accuracy of the count by participating in existing intergovernmental processes to verify addresses and residences.
A recent Florida TaxWatch report shows that Florida receives less grants per capita than every other state in the nation and concludes, “It would be hard to argue that Florida’s share is anywhere close to equitable.” If Florida received the national average in per capita federal grants, the state would get $14.6 billion more of its tax money back.
According to a 2001 report to U.S. Congress by PricewaterhouseCoopers, Florida had the fourth largest undercount (200,670 persons) during the 2000 Census. At Florida’s per capita grant amount, this undercount would cost the state more than $225 million annually, or more than $2.5 billion over a decade.
“Florida TaxWatch has been covering the census issue since the 1980’s, and the 2020 Census is not one that Florida can afford to ignore,” said Florida TaxWatch Chairman and former Florida Senator Pat Neal. “As the eyes and ears of Florida’s taxpayers, and the state’s premier government watchdog for the past 40 years, TaxWatch knows well the importance of getting a full and fair return on our federal tax dollars and we’re encouraged by the hard work of the City of Sarasota to make sure all their residents are counted.”
“The importance of the 2020 Census cannot be overstated. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, omissions in Florida in the 2010 Census were as high as 1.3 million, equivalent to more than three times the population of Sarasota County. As Florida prepares to welcome more than three million new residents over the next 10 years, there has never been a more important time to ensure every single Floridian is accounted for so we get our full and fair share of federal resources, ” said Dominic M. Calabro, President and CEO of Florida TaxWatch. "We are grateful for the good work being done by the City of Sarasota and look forward to a successful 2020 Census here in Southwest Florida.”
"Getting the census right is not just about knowing how many people call our beautiful city home, importantly, it guides the distribution of federal dollars into this community. That means in 2020, millions of dollars are on the line and dependent on us getting a full and accurate count of every resident in Sarasota," said City of Sarasota Mayor Liz Alpert. “Thanks to our Complete Count Committee, and leadership of City Commissioner and Chairwoman, Shelli Freeland Eddie, Sarasota is taking the right steps to ensure a great 2020 Census.”
"The City of Sarasota is already working hard to ensure our residents are fully counted in the upcoming 2020 Census and today, we are proud to announce that our Complete Count Committee will hold its kickoff meeting at Sarasota City Hall on Wednesday, November 20," said City of Sarasota Commissioner Shelli Freeland Eddie. “With the census now just five months away, we are fighting every day to make the most of this opportunity to secure every federal resource Sarasota families rightfully deserve.”
For the first time, census forms may be submitted online, making social media and digital promotion an integral part of public outreach efforts. There are more than 130 federally funded programs that are based on the census, including: education, health, transportation, water and waste infrastructure, assistance to low income, elderly and disabled persons, affordable housing, economic development, job training, the arts, and the environment.
Read the FULL TaxWatch research briefing about the 2020 Census here.
About Florida TaxWatch
As an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit government watchdog and taxpayer research institute for forty years, the trusted eyes and ears of Florida taxpayers, Florida TaxWatch, works to improve the productivity and accountability of Florida government. Its research recommends productivity enhancements and explains the statewide impact of fiscal and economic policies and practices on citizens and businesses. Florida TaxWatch is supported by voluntary, tax-deductible donations and private grants, and does not accept government funding. Donations provide a solid, lasting foundation that has enabled Florida TaxWatch to bring about a more effective, responsive government that is more accountable to, and productive for, the citizens it serves since 1979. For more information, please visit http://www.floridataxwatch.org.