Appropriations Update
During August, the U.S. Congress was largely out of session, having adjourned on August 7 for a month-long district work period. Before adjourning, the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate did not consider Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 appropriations bills on the floors of their respective chambers. FY 2023 begins on October 1. When Congress returns after the Labor Day holiday, it is likely they will have to pass a continuing resolution (CR) to keep the federal government funded and open past October 1.
As we await a final outcome on the FY 2023 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bill, which funds the U.S. Census Bureau, census stakeholders are urging Congress to provide the agency with no less than $1.5 billion—the amount recommended by the U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee.
Policy Update
The Significance of Census and ACS Data to Florida
A new report from Florida TaxWatch looks at the significance of census and American Community Survey (ACS) data to the people of Florida. The report was featured in a blog that The Census Project published on August 9.
Senate Holds Field Hearing to Examine 2020 Census and Impact on City of Detroit
On July 25, U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, convened a field hearing, “Reviewing the 2022 Census: Local Perspectives in Michigan.” The purpose of the hearing was to examine the impact of the 2020 Census on local communities and, more specifically, to discuss a challenge that the City of Detroit has filed with the U.S. Census Bureau regarding its enumeration.
Census Bureau News
The Opportunity Project (TOP), an innovation program led by Census Open Innovation Labs, announced its schedule of upcoming events.
The U.S. Census Bureau will hold a webinar Sept. 8 explaining how to access data and online resources from the 2021 American Community Survey (ACS) set to be publicly released on September 15.
On August 25, the Bureau released the final round of 2010 Census demonstration data and performance metrics for the Disclosure Avoidance System (DAS) that will be used for the 2020 Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics File (DHC). A webinar was held August 31 to discuss the new demonstration data and respond to questions.
On August 18, the Bureau released the first two of more than 65 reports from its 2020 Census Evaluations and Experiments (EAE) operation designed to assess the quality of 2020 Census programs and operations and test new methods suggested from previous research.
The public is invited to submit their input and ideas for an improved 2030 Census through November 15, 2022.
The Bureau released estimates of net coverage error and components of coverage for Puerto Rico from the 2020 Post-Enumeration Survey (PES) on August 16. These results provide insight into the quality of the 2020 Census counts for the population and housing units in Puerto Rico.
Undercount and overcount rates for housing units from the 2020 Post-Enumeration Survey (PES) were released on August 16.
On August 11, the Bureau announced it plans to release the 2020 Census Congressional District Summary Files in August 2023.
The rate of Americans under the age of 65 without health insurance decreased significantly in 251 counties and increased in 148 counties between 2019 and 2020, according to data released on August 11.
On August 10, the Bureau announced that John Abowd, the Census Bureau’s chief scientist and associate director for research and methodology, was selected by the Electronic Privacy Information Center to receive the 2022 Champion of Freedom Awards in recognition of his work on disclosure avoidance.
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is reviewing federal statistical standards for collecting race and ethnicity data, including in Census Bureau surveys, and inviting public comment.
Census Bureau Data Releases
On August 31, the Bureau released data from the 2021 Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP).
New data from phase 3.5 of the experimental Household Pulse Survey (HPS) were released on August 17. Phase 3.5 includes new questions on timing of positive coronavirus test, use of coronavirus treatments, the experience of long-COVID symptoms, amount of monthly rent and changes in monthly rent, children’s mental health and difficulty with self-care and communicating. Questions related to food expenditures were reinstated this phase.
On August 11, the Bureau released new Business Formation Statistics (BFS) for July 2022.
News You Can Use
Below are several articles posted on The Census Project home page in August 2022. For a complete listing, go to: https://thecensusproject.org/recent-media/.
OMB looks to update federal race and ethnicity data standards
FCW
August 31, 2022
Census undercounted Memphis by 16,000 residents, mayor says
Associated Press
August 30, 2022
For the First Time, Government Asks Public for Input on Census Design
Nextgov
August 30, 2022
Census director is a Chicano who photographed bands at SXSW and used tortilla dough to fish
NBC News
August 27, 2022
Best States for Gender Equality: How They Were Ranked
U.S. News & World Report
August 25, 2022
Census Bureau: 3.8 million renters will likely be evicted in the next two months — why the rental crisis keeps getting worse
MoneyWise
August 25, 2022
New Director Hopes to Give the Census Bureau a Human Face
Governing
August 22, 2022
Black Voters Say New Congressional Maps Water Down Their Influence
NPR
August 18, 2022
2020 census overcounted people in Puerto Rico, hinting at larger population loss
NBC News
August 17, 2022
Census missed housing units in rural, Native American areas
Roll Call
August 16, 2022
The Datasets We’re Looking At This Week
FiveThirtyEight
August 10, 2022
Researchers Ask Census to Stop Controversial Privacy Method
Associated Press
August 8, 2022
White and youth population losses contributed most to the nation’s growth slowdown, new census data reveals
Brookings
August 1, 2022
Listen: Census Bureau’s Data Modernization Path to 2030
GovCIO
August 1, 2022
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