Officials support Census participation

COLUMBUS (AP) — Ohioans: Uncle Sam wants you ... to participate in the 2010 Census.

“Ten questions; it’ll take 10 minutes, but the input will last you for the next decade,” said Ohio Treasurer Kevin Boyce, who co-chairs the Complete Count Ohio committee.

That was the message at a sparsely attended kickoff rally held Monday at the Statehouse, where state and local officials emphasized the special importance of the 10-year population count in Ohio and handed out Census pens, pencils, refrigerator magnets, bookmarks and tote bags. About 50 people attended.

There is much at stake when the U.S. Census Bureau takes the official count of residents April 15. That includes the amount of federal aid that will come to Ohio and how many representatives the state will have in Congress.

Ohio is the only state that could lose two seats when Census results are used to redraw congressional districts, according to projections by the nonpartisan data analysis firm Polidata. Nine states are projected to lose one seat; 33 to keep the same number; seven to gain a seat; and one, Texas, to gain four seats.

Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman said updated population data has the potential to significantly affect city life.

Census results will determine how much urban centers including Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati will get in federal grants to support hospitals, police and fire, sewer and water systems, and programs for the poor and the homeless, he said.

“In doing this, you can keep your taxes down and you may save someone’s life,” Coleman said.