R 228
2020 -- S 2880
Enacted 06/18/2020

S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N
RECOGNIZING AND ADVOCATING SUPPORT FOR THE "CENSUS DAY OF ACTION" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND ON APRIL 1, 2020

Introduced By: Senators Cano, McKenney, Goodwin, McCaffrey, and Murray
Date Introduced: June 17, 2020

     WHEREAS, The 2020 Census will be critically important to the future of Rhode Island
and even a minor undercount would have dire implications that would last for at least a decade;
and
     WHEREAS, Federal funds are disbursed based on population which is determined by the
Census, and include funding for healthcare, infrastructure, housing, rural communities, and local
municipalities; and
     WHEREAS, A little more than 34 percent of Rhode Island's state budget is comprised of
those federal dollars; and
     WHEREAS, In addition, if initial estimates on Rhode Island's population figures hold
true, the state is projected to lose one of its two United States House seats, which will critically
impede Rhode Island's ability to ensure fair political representation in Washington; and
     WHEREAS, One of the concerns to ensuring a fair and accurate count in the 2020
Census for Rhode Island is that there are significant numbers of groups considered “hard to
count,” including immigrants who may or may not have legal status, non-fluent English speakers,
low-income and homeless people, racial and ethnic minorities, and young people; and
     WHEREAS, It is vital that all avenues of access to accomplishing a comprehensive and
inclusive Census be pursued by businesses, media outlets, community organizations, and state
and local agencies; now, therefore be it
     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
hereby recognizes and supports the "Census Day of Action" on April 1, 2020, and the outreach
efforts of local governments and community based organizations, particularly those with
connections to traditionally hard to count and undercounted communities; and be it further
     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to
transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Honorable Gina Raimondo, Governor of the
State of Rhode Island, and the Honorable Nellie M. Gorbea, Secretary of State.
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LC004905
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