Dear Editor,
Last week we received a mailing from the Census Bureau and immediately went online to fill the requested information. It took about 10 minutes to answer a few simple questions. It is vitally important to participate in the census, conducted every 10 years since 1790, because data is used to distribute federal funds, determine representation in the U.S. House of Representatives and set representation, funding and programs by the State of Oklahoma.
On www.2020census.gov , 132 federal programs used Census Bureau data to distribute $675 billion in funds in 2015, an increase from $400 billion in 2009. A number of programs directly impact our town and county. The top three programs using census data for funds distribution are health related: $312B for Medical Assistance Program; $71B for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); and $70B for Medicare Part B. Highway planning is fourth at $38B. Five of the next seven programs relate to education at $74B: Pell grants; school lunches; educational facilities; special education; and Head Start. Many programs benefit wildlife, firefighters, seniors, Native Americans, Women, Infants and Children, the arts, etc.
Since 1953, Oklahoma has lost three representatives in the U.S. House of Representatives (currently we have five members). It is imperative that everyone in Oklahoma participate in the census in order to maintain representation. This is especially important for northwest Oklahoma. Frank Lucas now represents most areas NW of I-44. NW Oklahoma may have lost population over the past 10 years, especially with the closing of the Watonga prison. Everyone must be counted.
In addition, the census reflects on NW Oklahoma for state representation. Our current Oklahoma House Representative, Mike Sanders, covers much of Canadian, Kingfisher, Blaine, Dewey and Woodward counties. It is imperative that all residents, including temporary residents, native Americans, undocumented residents (no citizenship question), students, military and others be counted in the census to preserve our representation at the state level.
This census is a quick and easy form. The old long form has been rolled into a separate census activity called the American Community Survey. If you are selected for this survey, as we were, we encourage you to participate in that survey as well.
Joe and Teresa Bryan
Watonga