Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Administration and Oneonta Mayor Gary Herzig today announced an October 11 roundtable event will take place in Oneonta to discuss the upcoming 2020 Census and steps to ensure a full count of all New Yorkers. This will be the third in a series of Census-specific regional events to take place across the state in coming months, which will include local stakeholders and U.S. Census Bureau representatives.

The discussion, which will be led by Mayor Herzig and Richard Tobe, Governor Cuomo’s Director of Special Intergovernmental Projects, is open to the public and press and will take place:

“New Yorkers need an accurate Census count so that we get the resources we need from the federal government, have the proper number of representatives in Congress and the power due to our state in the electoral college,” Director of Special Intergovernmental Projects Richard Tobe said. “This event in Oneonta brings local leaders together in order to work collaboratively to assure a fair and full count.”

Oneonta Mayor Gary Herzig said, “The census is a critical part of our democracy, as it is a major factor in determining federal aid and representation. This forum gives Oneonta a seat at the table to make sure our community is fully counted. We look forward to a productive discussion with stakeholders and community leaders on how we can work together to get an accurate count.”

According the U.S. Census Bureau, an estimated $675 billion in federal funds is distributed each year using Census data. These funds support local infrastructure, education, health care, economic development and community service programs. An accurate census count is critical to protect New York’s share of that funding - estimated at $53 billion each year.

The Census count also impacts New York’s representation in Congress through apportionment and is used for federal, state and local legislative redistricting. It also determines New York State's representation in the Electoral College that selects the President of the United States.

Attendees at the October 11 event will learn how New York State is preparing for the 2020 Census, including plans to establish a State Complete Count Commission that will propose a plan of action to achieve full and fair count in 2020. The U.S. Census Bureau will present plans for the 2020 Census, including use of new technology for the enumeration process and efforts to build partnerships to reach hard-to-count populations. Finally, the event will include a roundtable discussion of past Census efforts and brainstorming strategies for community outreach and organizing to ensure an accurate count for Oneonta in 2020.

For more information about New York’s efforts to ensure a full count in 2020, please visit https://www.ny.gov/programs/2020-census.