Stand up and be counted in the 2020 census

The 2020 census may be a year away, but the city of Austin and Travis County are launching a campaign now to make sure everyone gets counted in the once-every-decade national survey. Participation in the census is critical because the information gathered guides the allocation of more than $800 billion in federal funding. Funding for family and community programs such as Medicaid, Medicare, State Children’s Health Insurance, Section 8 Housing, Head Start, the National School Lunch Program, Special Education Grants and highway planning and construction all rely on accurate census numbers. For the first time, people will be able to respond online, by phone or by mail. Austin Mayor Steve Adler and Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt will be holding a press conference to announce the Austin-Travis County Census 2020 Complete Count Committee today at 10 a.m. at City Hall, 301 W. Second St.