Appropriations Update
As The Census Project reported last month, Congress passed, and President Biden signed into law on September 30, a continuing resolution (CR) to keep the federal government operating through December 16. Enactment of the CR was necessary given Congress did not pass and send to the President any of the 12 Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 appropriations bills, including the Commerce, Justice, Science appropriations bill which funds the Census Bureau.
As a result of the CR, the Census Bureau is funded at its FY 2022 spending level. The Bureau did not request a funding anomaly from Congress, which could have allowed the Bureau to spend above its FY 2022 funding level. We understand that the Bureau did not feel an anomaly was necessary at this time. However, if another CR is required to fund the federal government beyond mid-December, the Bureau may request a funding anomaly.
Congress will return after the November mid-term elections to complete the FY 2023 appropriations process. Census stakeholders are urging members of Congress to provide the Census Bureau with no less than $1.505 billion–the amount approved by the U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee and requested by the President in his FY 2023 budget proposal. In September, The Census Project sent a letter signed by over 100 national, state, and local organizations requesting this action as well.
Policy Update
Census Stakeholders Invited to Comment on 2030 Census Plans
Through November 15, the Census Bureau is accepting comments to inform strategies intended to “improve or enhance the way people respond to the 2030 Census on their own.” They are asking the public to comment on the following topics:
- Reaching and motivating everyone
- Technology
- New data sources
- How we contact respondents
- Respondent support services.
In an October 27 blog, the Census Project reminded census stakeholders about the impending deadline and provided links to available resources. In addition, the Bureau is holding six virtual regional workshops to solicit direct input from the public. More information about these workshops, including how to register, is available at: 2030 Census Recommendations Virtual Workshops.
Department of Commerce Inspector General Annual Report Addresses Census Concerns
In an October 20 blog, the Census Project shared news regarding a Department of Commerce Inspector General report, “Top Management and Performance Challenges Facing the Department of Commerce in Fiscal Year 2023.” Specifically, the report raises four priority concerns regarding the Census Bureau:
- “Ensuring the timely delivery of 2020 Census studies and the timely completion of the 2020 Post-Census Group Quarters Review needed to inform 2030 Census planning.”
- “Ensuring information from the Post-Enumeration Survey (PES) is used to develop a strategy for obtaining a more accurate count of certain demographic groups and state populations for the 2030 Census.”
- “Enhancing the accuracy and reliability of the Census Bureau’s address list.”
- “Ensuring data products provide timely, reliable, and quality data to stakeholders.”
Census Bureau News
On October 20, the Bureau released a demographic profile of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) from the 2020 Island Areas Censuses. Other releases that day featured data regarding Guam, American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
On October 18, the Bureau announced the start of the 2022 Economic Census with a mailing to selected small businesses asking them to update their North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code.
On October 17, Sallie Keller, division director and distinguished professor in biocomplexity at the Biocomplexity Institute at the University of Virginia (UVA) officially assumed the role of associate director for Research and Methodology and chief scientist.
On October 12, the Bureau announced it was launching StatVentures, an initiative of Census Open Innovation Labs (COIL). According to the Bureau, StatVentures will scout technology through collaborations with nongovernment innovators to ensure the U.S. Census Bureau continues to provide quality data effectively and efficiently.
On October 6, the Bureau released 2020 Census operational quality metrics for individual counties and tracts. The metrics show how the census collected data within the counties and tracts and can provide insight on the quality of the 2020 Census.
On October 4, the Bureau released new income and poverty briefs from the 2021 American Community Survey (ACS), 1-year estimates and years prior. These briefs analyze changes in median household income and poverty rates for the nation, states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the most populous metropolitan areas between 2019 and 2021.
Throughout the week of October, the Bureau marked the 11th Anniversary of Manufacturing Day.
Census Bureau Data Releases
On October 31, the Census Bureau released new tables from the 2020 and 2021 Current Population Survey (CPS) Annual Social and Economic Supplement.
The 2020 Census Quality Metrics Viewer was released on October 31. This map provides a visual tool for exploring the recently released operational quality metrics for counties and census tracts.
Data from the Business Trends and Outlook Survey (BTOS), a survey that measures business conditions on an ongoing basis, was released on October 27 and October 13.
On October 26 and October 5, the Bureau released new data from phase 3.6 of the experimental Household Pulse Survey (HPS), a collaborative effort with other federal statistical agencies to provide near real-time data on how the COVID-19 pandemic, and changes in social and economic conditions are affecting people’s lives to inform federal and state response and recovery planning.
On October 13, the Bureau released new Business Formation Statistics (BFS) for September 2022. The BFS provide timely and high frequency information on new business applications and formations in the United States.
An early release of data from the Annual Survey of School System Finances was announced on October 4. According to the Bureau, the data provide initial insight into spending per public school pupil (pre-K through 12th grade), as well as revenue and other school system spending details in 38 states and the District of Columbia.
In response to Hurricane Ian, the Bureau announced on October 3 the availability of demographic and economic data on impacted areas.
News You Can Use
Below are several articles posted on The Census Project home page in October 2022. For a complete listing, go to: https://thecensusproject.org/recent-media/.
One week to go: What history tells us about how the House races are shaping up
Brookings
October 31, 2022
What Is Prison Gerrymandering and How Does It Impact US Politics?
Teen Vogue
October 31, 2022
Census: Detailed Age, Sex Data May Be Limited Based on Place
Associated Press
October 28, 2022
Where people in every state are moving to most
The Telegraph
October 28, 2022
Here’s Why 100 Million Americans Weren’t Working This Month
Bloomberg
October 27, 2022
New Home Sales Tumble 10.9% in September
U.S. News & World Report
October 26, 2022
Paying the Bills Gets Harder in Key Battleground US States
Bloomberg
October 26, 2022
Census Bureau shares analytics insights, not data, in pilot with IRS
FedScoop
October 24, 2022
Recent Legislative and Executive Acts Represent Promise for Women’s Economic Security
Center for American Progress
October 20, 2022
Making the Census Work for Latinos
Brennan Center for Justice
October 19, 2022
Who counts as Black in voting maps? Some GOP state officials want that narrowed
NPR
October 18, 2022
The Price Of Poverty: What It Means To Be Poor In America
NPR
October 17, 2022
The immigrant workforce supports millions of US jobs
Brookings
October 17, 2022
An Uptick in Elder Poverty: A Blip, or a Sign of Things to Come?
The New York Times
October 17, 2022
Retail sales flatten out in September as inflation takes toll
The Hill
October 14, 2022
NEW REPORT: LGBTQ+ Voters Becoming One of the Fastest Growing Voting Blocs in the Country, Projected to Represent Nearly One-Fifth of Voters By 2040 and Fundamentally Reshape American Electoral Landscape
Human Rights Campaign
October 13, 2022
12 Largest Indigenous Groups in the US
Investopedia
October 9, 2022
Census director turns to states for help with next count
Pluribus News
October 5, 2022
Working From Home Is Not an Urban Escape Hatch
The Washington Post
October 5, 2022
Justices mull latest challenge to landmark voting rights law
Associated Press
October 4, 2022
Support our fight for accurate and complete census and American Community Survey (ACS) data with a tax-deductible donation to The Census Project