"We can't move forward until you mail it back," is the motto the federal government is using to market the 2010 census. Despite all the advertising encouraging Americans to mail in their census forms, recruiting offices are still in need of workers to walk door-to-door and are paid $12.25 an hour. Tradition calls on Americans to assist the federal government in keeping track of our country's population. I would like to join the federal government in pushing for a record number of census responses, but in order for that to happen workers are desperately needed to knock on doors and collect every census form. In an effort to be efficient and timely, the census will consist of only ten questions and should take about ten minutes to fill out. Residents should receive their census forms in March. April 1, 2010 is National Census Day. I am also pleased to announce that I am joining my fellow government leaders in asking for census forms to be turned in on this date. From late April through July, hired census workers will attempt to receive forms that are not submitted by early April. I cannot stress enough how important it is for Hoosiers to fill out their census forms not only does it count the population of the United States, it is also used to determine the number of seats each state is given in the House of Representatives. The census is also used to allocate $400 billion of federal funding on infrastructure and services, such as hospitals, schools and bridges/tunnels. In addition, the census data is used to advocate for causes, prevent disease and locate groups of skilled workers. This year when you receive your census in the mail, please take it seriously, fill it out and mail it back. If you do not feel safe mailing it back, then make sure you get it to your census worker when they knock at your door. If you have the time, please sign up to become a temporary census worker. You can apply online by visiting http://2010.census.gov/2010censusjobs/ or call 812-962-6650. |
