Senator Nilsa Cruz-Perez (D-Camden, Gloucester) and Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez (D-Middlesex) released the following statements on the $7 million in funding included in the fiscal year 2020 budget to support the Complete Count Commission. The allocation will place the Commission’s funding at a total of $9 million to ensure at least $1 is spent on Census efforts for every New Jersey resident.
Senator Cruz-Perez: “The accuracy of our Census is crucial. It determines things from our congressional district lines and even the levels of federal funding New Jersey receives. I applaud the inclusion of funding towards the New Jersey Complete Count Commission in the State budget. This Commission is committed to ensuring that populations historically unaccounted for in hard to count areas, such as immigrants, minorities and the homeless, will no longer remain overlooked. As legislators, it is our responsibility to ensure ample resources are available to effectively serve the members of our communities and I am proud to see New Jersey stay committed to that responsibility.”
Assemblywoman Lopez: “With the 2020 Census just around the corner, it’s imperative that New Jersey takes necessary steps to ensure all of our residents are accurately counted. As a member of the Complete Count Commission, I’m thrilled we have taken an integral step in allocating funds in our State budget to help the commission carry out this enormous responsibility. A fair and accurate count will mean New Jersey receives equitable representation in Congress, federal funding, and other critical resources determined by the Census count. Our State’s future depends on it.”