Rendell sets up census panel, asks public help

January 27, 2010 at 2:31p.m.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Gov. Ed Rendell is asking Pennsylvanians to help their state by completing and returning soon-to-be-mailed census forms.

Rendell signed an order today establishing an advisory panel to work with local communities in responding to the 2010 census. He cited one study that suggests the 2000 census missed about 100,000 Pennsylvanians.

Forms will be mailed out in mid-March, and April 1 is National Census Day.

Federal officials say they expect to count about 310 million Americans this year. Census figures help establish representation in the Legislature and Congress as well as state shares of federal money.