WASHINGTON — Even though it is still more than three months away, the 2010 Census is fast approaching. The U.S. Census Bureau already has begun setting up regional and field offices across our great nation and between now and next April, the U.S. Census Bureau will hire about 700,000 temporary workers to assist with the census. The federal government has established a Web site, www.2010census.gov, to assist with questions about the census and I also have set up a page with information about the census on my Web site www.house.gov/lucas.
So what’s the big deal?
In addition to apportioning seats in the U.S. House of Representatives as required by the U.S. Constitution, the census also determines the distribution of $400 billion in federal funds per year, it helps to establish state senate and house districts as well as county commissioner lines, and it even is used to distribute some state funds.
This year, the census has been shortened to only 10 questions that should take just about 10 minutes to answer. You will start to receive the questionnaire in your homes in March. There is one census per household, not per person, so each person in the household should be accounted for on the questionnaire. In addition, all 10 questions must be answered in order for the census to be counted. The Census Bureau has asked that you fill them out to reflect your current situation on April 1 and that you mail it back by that date. Those who have not responded by this date may be visited by a Census Bureau counter. These are people from your own communities — many of whom are your friends and family — who are working with the Census Bureau to ensure that every Oklahoman is counted.
I know that many people are concerned about their privacy, as am I. However, census data is kept strictly private and is not shared with any other government agency for 72 years. After that, it is sent to the National Archives and made public, primarily for genealogical research. If you have questions about this, you can visit www.2010census.gov/privacy.
I would like to strongly encourage each and every one of you to take the time to fill out your census questionnaire when it arrives in your mailbox next March. After the last census, Oklahoma lost one of its seats in Congress and we must all ensure that does not happen again. Remember, the future of Oklahoma is in your hands.
REP. FRANK LUCAS represents Oklahoma’s 3rd Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. For more Frankly Speakings, visit Rep. Lucas’ Blog at http://www.house.gov/lucas/frankly-speaking/index.shtml.
Opinion
The 2010 Census: Oklahoma’s future is in your hands
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OUR VIEW: Feb. 14 vote about ideas
If you read any of the letters to the editor in the past two weeks regarding Tuesday’s District 2 Edmond school board race, then you already know that this election is not about the individual candidates so much as it’s about what type of school board do Edmond residents really want governing their school district?
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What are your presidential 10 Commandments?
As we brace for the upcoming presidential campaign, we should be honest about our responsibility in the process. Before we get pushed, pulled, bribed, frightened, bullied, flattered, fooled or charmed into voting for a candidate, let’s take a mature thoughtful look at what the profile of the president should look like. In order to do that, let’s do an exercise. Sit down with a pencil and paper and draft your proposal for the Ten Commandments to be obeyed by the president. Let me share some of my suggestions.
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What would Reagan do today in Oklahoma?
As we celebrated the 101st anniversary of Ronald Reagan’s birth on Feb. 6, several of us at Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs started discussing what Reagan might do today. Here are some of the ideas we came up with.
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Consequences of an overregulated nation
Overreaching government regulations are costing jobs and killing our economy. They are a heavy burden on our nation and its citizens — in some cases worse than our nation’s increasingly out-of-control debt.
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LETTER: Supporter: Duncan shows passion for children’s needs
To the Editor:
The families in the Edmond Public School District are fortunate to have Kathleen Duncan as their advocate on the Edmond Board of Education. Duncan has worked tirelessly for the welfare and benefit of the Edmond schools’ students. -
LETTER: Teacher supports Duncan’s re-election
To the Editor:
On Feb. 14 patrons of District 2 have an opportunity to re-elect the current president of the Edmond School Board, Kathleen Duncan. Duncan has served as a board member for 10 years. When people move to the Oklahoma City area, they buy a home here because of the exceptional quality of Edmond Public Schools. This speaks to Duncan’s goal of “Excellence in Education for All Edmond Public School Students.” -
LETTER: Supporter: Duncan understands diverse issues
To the Editor:
Kathleen Duncan understands the diverse issues that effect our schools. She carefully studies the district’s issues and works tirelessly as an advocate for all students. Her votes as a board member have an impact for years to come and she takes that responsibility very seriously. - LETTER: Reader says incumbent's personal agenda in the way
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OUR VIEW: Feb. 14 vote about ideas
