Members of Governor Cuomo’s Administration, Onondaga County Executive, Syracuse Mayor, U.S. Census Bureau Representative & Community Stakeholders discuss importance of organizing local efforts to ensure a full count in 2020

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Administration, Onondaga County Executive J. Ryan McMahon II and Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh today announced a December 12 roundtable event will take place in Syracuse to discuss the upcoming 2020 Census and steps to ensure a full count of all New Yorkers. This will be the latest 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 Onondaga County Executive McMahon, Mayor Walsh and Richard Tobe, Governor Cuomo’s Director of Special Intergovernmental Projects, is open to the public and press and will take place:

Wednesday, December 12, 3 p.m.

City Hall Commons Atrium

201 E. Washington Street

Syracuse, NY

“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 Syracuse brings local leaders together in order to work collaboratively to assure a fair and full count.”

Onondaga County Executive J. Ryan McMahon said, “A complete count of our residents for the 2020 Census is critical to Onondaga County. As we work to address issues like poverty, infrastructure and economic development, the Census will determine the amount of financial resources our County will receive from the federal government. I look forward to this important meeting, where we will work together to find the best path to a full count.”

Syracuse Mayor Walsh said, “The City of Syracuse depends on the census to ensure we get our fair share of resources and representation from the federal government. I look forward to hosting this important, collaborative event, where we will outline plans and strategies to make sure every resident is counted in 2020.

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 December 12 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 Onondaga County and Syracuse 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.