Legislature(2009 - 2010)BUTROVICH 205
02/05/2010 03:15 PM House LABOR & COMMERCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Overview on United States Census | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE LABOR AND COMMERCE STANDING COMMITTEE
February 5, 2010
3:25 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Kurt Olson, Chair
Representative Mike Chenault
Representative Bob Lynn
Representative Tammie Wilson
Representative Robert L. "Bob" Buch
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Mark Neuman, Vice Chair
Representative Lindsey Holmes
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
OVERVIEW ON UNITED STATES CENSUS
- HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
HECTOR MALDONADO, Partnership Coordinator
Seattle Regional Census Center
US Census Bureau
Seattle, Washington
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented a PowerPoint overview of the 2010
Census in Alaska
WENDY HAWLEY, Area Manager
Seattle Regional Census Center
U.S. Census Bureau
Bothell, Washington
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified and answered questions during the
Overview of the U.S. Census.
MARK TANGUAY, Director
Alaska Local Census Office
U.S. Census Bureau
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented during the overview of the 2010
U.S. Census in Alaska.
ERIC DAVENPORT, SR., Partnership Specialist
Cascadia, Olympus, and Tongass Team Leader
U.S. Census Bureau
Olympia, Washington
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented an overview during the discussion
of the U.S. Census Bureau 2010 Census.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:25:43 PM
CHAIR KURT OLSON called the House Labor and Commerce Standing
Committee meeting to order at 3:25 p.m. Representatives T.
Wilson, Lynn, Buch, and Olson were present at the call to order.
Representative Chenault arrived as the meeting was in progress.
Representative Gruenberg was also in attendance.
^Overview on United States Census
Overview on United States Census
3:26:30 PM
CHAIR OLSON announced that the only order of business would be
an Overview of the U.S. Census.
3:27:00 PM
HECTOR MALDONADO, Partnership Coordinator, Seattle Regional
Census Center, U.S. Census Bureau, introduced his team: Wendy
Hawley, Area Manager for Alaska and part of Washington State;
Eric Davenport, Senior Partnership Specialist for Cascadia and
Olympus, and Mark Tanguay, Tongass Team Leader, and Director of
the Alaska Local Census Office, and Partnership Specialists Eric
Morrison, Lavern Lamereaux, Donald Woodkey, Michael Clemens, and
Gerry Donohoe.
3:29:13 PM
MR. MALDONADO showed a short video as a means of introducing the
2010 Census in Alaska.
3:34:15 PM
MR. MALDONADO explained that his overview would cover the
reasons for the census, the constitutional mandate and
responsibility, the Census Bureau Structure, the ease and
safeguards, and importance of the census, the goals, objectives,
and implementation of the Partnership in Alaska Program [slide
2].
3:34:56 PM
MR. MALDONADO discussed the constitutional mandate for the U.S.
Census [slide 3]. Each census since 1790 has been mandated by
the U.S. Constitution. Article 1, Section 2 of the Constitution
of the United States requires the federal government to count
the population of this country for apportionment and
distribution of funds. After the final population count, on
December 31, 2010, the census must be submitted to the President
and Alaska, along with the other states, will begin the
redistricting process, based on its population.
3:35:45 PM
MR. MALDONADO described the Census Bureau structure as the four
pillars of the 2010 Census, which are Operations, Geography,
Census Coverage Measurement, and Partnership & Data Services
(slide 4]. The accuracy of the census depends on its operations
and field staff. The specific housing units within the state
are identified and help ensure each home receives a
questionnaire. The census coverage measurement provides an
assessment of the overall census performance. The Partnership
and Data Services is the public relations branch of the U.S.
Census Bureau that conducts outreach to ensure all entities
within the state are used to inform citizens about the census.
3:37:03 PM
MR. MALDONADO discussed the importance of the census data [slide
5]. The U.S. Census data helps states make informed decisions.
States need accurate data to help local communities. Over $400
billion is distributed to states and communities based on census
data. U.S. Census data helps guide planning for local services
and infrastructure for schools, roads, and capital projects.
Additionally, the U.S. Census data helps determine the need for
special initiatives to serve the needs of local communities,
including determining whether bilingual programs or special
transportation systems are needed.
3:38:05 PM
MR. MALDONADO discussed the ease of the census questionnaire
[slide 6]. The 2010 census questionnaire is easier than ever.
It consists of 10 questions that should take approximately 10
minutes or less to complete. Detailed data will be collected on
an ongoing survey, the American Community Survey, which will be
sent to a small sample of the population. While previous
censuses consisted of a long form, the 2010 U.S. Census format
has changed and will only be given in a short form.
MR. MALDONADO explained the confidentiality of the 2010 Census
[slide 7]. The data collected is completely confidential. The
individual responses are safeguarded by Title XIII U.S.C. The
Census Bureau employees cannot share data with anyone, including
federal and local law enforcement agencies. No one can access
the specific data for 72 years and the only data that can be
shared is statistical data.
3:40:13 PM
MR. MALDONADO discussed the U.S. Census's goal, which is to
count everyone [slide 8]. In Alaska, the census workers will
mail, hand deliver, or personally enumerate 281,616 households.
He anticipated that the U.S. Census Bureau will survey over
681,000 residents, containing 19,349 people in group quarters,
and covering 663,268 square miles.
3:41:22 PM
MR. MALDONADO discussed the hiring practices [slide 9]. The
U.S. Census Bureau will hire locals to do local work, promises
to obtain an accurate count, and will save taxpayer money by
increasing the mail response rate (MRR).
3:42:14 PM
WENDY HAWLEY, Area Manager, Seattle Regional Census Center, U.S.
Census Bureau, stated that her area covers portions of Alaska
and Washington State. She related she has 26 years of
experience with the U.S. Census Bureau and as a geographer
understands the geography in Alaska. She previously served as
an area manager in 2000, although she did not serve Alaska. She
related that she understands the size, the transportation
difficulties, and welcomes the opportunity to meet challenges of
the U.S. Census [slide 2].
3:44:26 PM
MS. HAWLEY offered that each Congressional District has a local
census office [slide 3]. In Alaska, the local office is located
in Anchorage. The U.S. Census conducts all of its operations in
Alaska from that office. The U.S. Census Bureau has depots or
distribution centers in Juneau and Fairbanks, but the management
staff is based in Anchorage. The U.S. Census Bureau employees
in Anchorage are Alaskan residents and have the knowledge and
understanding of the challenges in Alaska. Their job is to
insure that everyone is counted once, and only once, and in the
correct place.
3:45:22 PM
MS. HAWLEY reviewed the 2010 Census timeline and key dates in
Alaska [slide 4]. She explained that the population data must
be submitted to President Obama by December 31, 2010. She
related that the operational dates are firm dates and do not
change, that additional people are hired to insure the work is
completed timely. The U.S. Bureau of Census employees completed
address canvassing in the spring 2009. Census employees went
door-to-door to update address lists and maps. Beginning with
the 2000 master address file, the addresses were updated prior
to delivering questionnaires, by mail, or by hand. Since Fall
2009, the U.S. Census Bureau began to recruit census takers and
will continually recruit workers through April or May 2010.
Remote enumeration began in Noorvik on January 25 and is
currently ongoing. An assistant manager works on remote
enumeration for approximately 217 villages or communities in
Alaska. In February - March 2010, the Mailout/Mailback,
Update/Leave, and rural enumeration process will be completed.
April 1, 2010 is the reference date for the 2010 Census. The
surveys are mailed out prior to that date but people are asked
to use the April 1st date when completing the questionnaires.
She asked, "Where were you or where will you be living on April
1st." Non-response follow-up refers to the effort taken to
capture those who did not answer the questionnaire. When a
person does not mail back their questionnaire, a census worker
will physically contact the person. Some people live in group
quarters and not in housing units. Others live in transitory
locations, such as marinas, under bridges, or in soup kitchens.
At the end of March census takers will spend an evening to help
insure that the census will count everyone, even people who are
homeless.
3:48:18 PM
MS. HAWLEY referred to the types of enumeration areas [slide 5].
She explained that Mr. Tanguay will identify the specific areas
for mail out and enumeration in Alaska. She discussed the
details of enumeration that is planned for Southeast Alaska
[slide 6]. She related that most of Southeast Alaska will be
counted using the "update leave or update enumeration"
processes.
3:49:10 PM
MARK TANGUAY, Director, Alaska Local Census Office, U.S. Census
Bureau, began by explaining the enumeration methodologies for
Alaska [slide 7]. He pointed out that Alaska is diverse so a
variety of methods will be used to complete the U.S. 2010 Census
in Alaska. The main method used will be a "Mailout/Mailback
(MO/MB) process, which is the process that will be used in most
of the Lower 48 and about 85 percent of Alaska, in Anchorage,
Fairbanks, and Juneau. The block groups must be 70 percent or
more for this type of delivery. The next type the "Update/Leave
(U/L)" is used when the map is updated to show housing units and
forms will be left at the door. Thus, a census worker would
literally go to every door and leave a form for residents to
return in a pre-paid postage return envelope. The U/L process
will be used for the remaining sections of Anchorage, the
Fairbanks North Star Borough, the eastern side of Kenai
Peninsula, and the Mat-Su Borough. The U/L process is expanded
in 2010. The U/L method will also be used in hub areas in rural
Alaska, such as Dillingham or Bethel. He restated that the
census workers would canvass each block and leave a
questionnaire at every door along with the pre-paid postage
envelope.
3:51:50 PM
MR. TANGUAY explained the enumeration methodologies for Rural
Alaska [slide 8]. Rural Update Enumerate is a method used in
Southeast Alaska and applies to areas with communities that are
sparsely populated. This enumeration process is used in areas
of Southeast Alaska, in which people cannot readily access a
U.S. Post Office. The areas included contain approximately
4,500 housing units, and tend to have a geographic social,
cultural, or linguistic characteristic that could affect the
questionnaire response rates. Most of these houses are only
accessible by boat. The census taker will use a boat or float
plane to contact the parties, and will fill out the
questionnaire at the time, as well as update the lists and maps.
The intent is to cover every square inch of Alaska.
MR. TANGUAY highlighted that the remote Alaska enumeration is
currently happening and will cover approximately 27,000 housing
units in villages [slide 9]. The census worker will train local
villagers to conduct the surveys. He stressed the importance of
having locals involved to obtain a better response rate since
they are familiar with the rural residents and often know them.
Census takers will update the address list and maps and
interview the household in person, even in outlying areas. This
includes attending cultural events, fish camps, and due to
weather and events is considered a fluid schedule.
3:54:35 PM
MR. TANGUAY covered additional enumeration methodologies for
Alaska, including that the U.S. Census Bureau will work directly
with the military to count military personnel on military
installations, whether they live on-base or off-base [slide 10].
This method includes Group Quarters (GQ), which are places where
people live or stay, such as college dormitories, jails, fish
processors, nursing homes, and elder housing.
3:56:23 PM
MR. TANGUAY outlined the enumeration of homeless [slide 11]. He
stated that the U.S. Census Bureau will hold a three-day
operation, including census taking at emergency shelters on
March 29th, soup kitchens and regularly scheduled food vans on
March 30th, and targeted non-sheltered outdoor locations on
March 31st. He remarked that it is important to stress
confidentiality as many homeless do not want to be located, but
it is the census worker's job to find them.
3:57:36 PM
MR. TANGUAY related the enumeration at transitory locations
[slide 12]. He explained that between March 19 and April 12,
2010, the U.S. Census Bureau will conduct the U.S. 2010 Census
to capture recreational vehicle (R/V) parks, marinas,
racetracks, camp grounds, carnivals, fairs, circuses, and
designated hotels and motels. The target date of April 1st will
be used as the date for people to use as their location date,
keeping in mind that the people in this group are mobile.
3:58:18 PM
MR. TANGUAY described the Non-Response Follow-up (NRFU) [slide
13]. He explained the process the U.S. Census Bureau will use
for people who do not return their questionnaires. Despite the
efforts taken, and the partnerships used, some people will not
return their forms. They may think the questionnaire is junk
mail or may be too busy to fill out the form. In 2000, 58
percent was the NRFU rate. The constitution and federal law
determines how the 2010 Census is conducted and the methods used
are constitutional. He recapped that the U.S. Census Bureau
uses master address files, an opportunity exists for local
communities to provide additional information, the areas are
canvassed, and other procedures are used for specific issues
such as fires. Census takers physically knock on doors and use
checks and balances to insure that people are counted whether
they reside at a lakeside cabin or in a home.
4:00:12 PM
MR. TANGUAY described the field verification operation, which is
a final check on the existence of specific addresses in specific
census blocks. The field verification is designed to verify the
existence of homes in order to be certain that a home is not
accidentally deleted from a list. Telephone questionnaire
assistance may provide information on additional housing. Thus,
in the event a person provides information about a housing unit
that is not included in the 2010 Census records, the census
personnel will verify the existence of the home, and whether an
individual or a family resides at the location.
MR. TANGUAY outlined the "Be Counted Questionnaires," which are
similar to absentee ballots and are available to those who did
not receive their initial questionnaire. This questionnaire
will be cross-referenced to be certain the person is not counted
twice.
4:01:47 PM
MR. TANGUAY explained the process for "Non Response Follow-up
Vacate/Delete Check [slide 15]." He explained that any housing
unit that is reported as non-existent or deleted by an
enumerator during the NRFU is double checked by an enumerator to
be certain a house is not missed. People may be visited several
times during the process since a certain sample is double
checked for accuracy and data is sometimes incorrectly reported,
such as a person's tendency to write the current year as his/her
birth date. A method exists to identify new address in the
process of conducting the census, such as new construction,
which can be cross referenced with the U.S. Post Office.
4:04:12 PM
MR. TANGUAY described the quality control and quality assurance
process [slide 16]. He stressed the importance of an accurate
census count. Depending on the field operation, 5 to 10 percent
of each census employee's work is re-interviewed. If errors in
a census employee's work are discovered, the entire assignment
area will be redone.
MR. TANGUAY discussed office and field jobs and salaries [slide
17]. U.S. Census workers receive fair wages. The census taker
or enumerators are temporary positions and workers are paid $25
per hour. Some people consider this work to be their civic
responsibility.
4:06:07 PM
MR. TANGUAY highlighted the importance of decennial staffing
[slide 18]. Census work is labor intensive since workers must
verify every address and interview every household. Census
workers may sleep on gym floors, and they understand the
hardships involved. He described the census takers as extremely
loyal. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of having
local people involved. The 2010 Census will require a
sufficient number of census takers in all areas of the state.
4:07:25 PM
MR. TANGUAY outlined the qualifications for the U.S. Census
Bureau employees, including that they must be U.S. citizens, a
minimum of 18-years-old, have a valid social security number,
and all males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered
with selective service.
4:07:53 PM
MR. TANGUAY explained the census taker duties [slide 20].
Census takers travel the assignment area to update map features
and update housing units, interview, and leave or complete
census forms for all housing structures. Census workers check
work for accuracy and completeness, and may be hired as guides
or interpreters.
4:08:28 PM
ERIC DAVENPORT, SR., Partnership Specialist, Cascadia, Olympus,
and Tongass Team Leader, U.S. Census Bureau, presented an
overview of partnering during the U.S. 2010 Census [slide 1].
Reasons to partner are that the stakes are high, that fewer
funds and underrepresentation can happen that affect everyone in
Alaska's communities [slide 2]. Since January 1, 2010, 528
babies have been born in this state and need to be counted and
the accuracy of the census is important to insure these children
are counted for the school count. Some states like Michigan may
lose seats, but others may gain additional Congressional seats.
He emphasized that people are working hard to insure accuracy of
the 2010 Census.
4:11:55 PM
MR. DAVENPORT related that this is the 23rd census since 1790
[slide 3]. The questions have changed over time and federal
marshals are no longer used to conduct the census as they
created undue fear. Some things have worked well.
Traditionally, Native Americans are undercounted in the U.S.
Decennial Census counts, but are actively engaged in the current
process. For example, in Alaska, the U.S. Census Bureau will
use a specialist in Tlingit/Haida. The Partnership Program has
broadened and will help the U.S. Census Bureau obtain a better
count.
4:13:48 PM
MR. DAVENPORT provided a brief historical perspective [slide 3].
The first census was taken in 1790. The U.S. Constitution
requires a decennial count. If a household is missed, the mail
response rate in 2000 was 67 percent. Thus, one third of the
households did not mail their questionnaires back. It is
expensive to send field workers, or enumerators, to count them.
It is a costly process. Every percentage point of non-returned
questionnaires costs the U.S. between $80 and $90 million. In
2000, $2.8 billion was spent to count the one-third of Americans
that did not return their questionnaires.
4:15:08 PM
MR. DAVENPORT discussed mail return rates [slide 4]. Between
1960 and 1990 the mail rates declined. For the U.S. 2000
Census, partnering was stressed, and Complete Count Committees
were used, which has increased the partnering rate. He related
that partnering and Complete Count Committees (CCC) work [slide
5]. Partnering works because states know their citizenry better
than the U.S. Census Bureau. The U.S. Census Bureau wants local
involvement since people can affect change, and change is what
is needed to improve the mail in rate. Thus, partnering and
working with the CCCs is very important, has an impact, and
improves the mail-in rate.
4:17:24 PM
MR. DAVENPORT reviewed Alaska's Mail-Response Rate in Census
2000 [slide 6]. The national mail in response rate was 67
percent, but Alaska's mail in response rate was only 56 percent.
The mail in response rate for the Anchorage Borough was 62
percent. Some other rates for mail in response rates for
Alaskan cities during the 2000 Census were: Juneau at 60
percent, Kenai at 47 percent, North Pole at 42 percent, and
Soldotna at 49 percent. He stressed that the U.S. Census Bureau
needs help to improve these rates. He stated that leveraging is
what the U.S. Census Bureau does best [slide 7]. Pooling assets
and minimizing weaknesses will accomplish results nationwide.
He said, "Pooling assets is a critical part of this whole entire
effort."
4:18:29 PM
MR. DAVENPORT pointed out specific strengths [slide 8]. Key
resources to increase the mail response rates include
facilities, communication outlets, human resources, and
knowledge of the people. He discussed specific strategies,
including Transportation Systems. The U.S. is a mobile society,
including buses, trains, vehicles, and the AMHS system. He
explained that the U.S. Census Bureau has brochures and posters
on each of the ferries in the Washington State Ferry System. It
would be great to do the same in the AMHS, as a means to serve
some coastal Alaskan communities. Additionally, the U.S. Census
Bureau had cards printed to place on buses since many of the
hard to count populations rely on bus transit systems for their
primary transportation. Imaging helps to break down reluctance
to participate. Alaska also has a state railroad and the
various terminals statewide provide great visibility to
advertise the importance of the U.S. Census 2010, and that the
process is easy to participate in and is safe.
4:20:19 PM
MR. DAVENPORT outlined public communication outlets and
utilities. He stated that this meeting is a great way to
partner with the U.S. Census Bureau, to disseminate information
to people and let them know contact information in the event
they have questions. Other ways the U.S. Census Bureau will
communicate with the public is through public television, and by
creating drop-in articles to use in constituent newsletters or
other newsletters or billings, such as slogans to enclose in
utility billing. Additionally, the U.S. Census Bureau will use
public service announcements (PSAs).
4:21:07 PM
MR. DAVENPORT discussed state and local governments [slide 11].
He explained that state and local governments can be especially
helpful in conducting the 2010 Census because they are rich in
facilities, communication, and human resources. This can be
helpful because the U.S. Census Bureau needs to have places to
train people. Often times, the U.S. Census Bureau looks to
schools and city halls for conference rooms as a means of
partnering with local communities. Additionally, other
resources that can be helpful are posters and rack cards on
display, bookmarks at check-out counters at libraries, all of
which can be low-cost ways to get the message out.
4:21:55 PM
MR. DAVENPORT related that the Schools and Youth Programs are
robust [slide 12]. He referred to their website at census.gov,
which provides information and curriculum that can be printed.
The materials are geared for the K-12 classrooms. He pointed
out that the website provides a great resource for rural
communities. He stated that the U.S. Census Bureau would love
to obtain the endorsement of the Department of Education in
Alaska. For example, the Washington State Commissioner of
Education provided an endorsement for the census that then went
to schools. He said, "Getting the message home through the
dinner table has a whole different resonance to it than when it
comes across the television or it comes through other media."
Thus, promoting the census information and integrating this
information through families can result in positive
participation. He highlighted efforts to work with some state
departments [slide 13]. He offered his belief that the recent
meetings with Alaska's Commissioners for the Department of Labor
& Workforce Development and Department of Commerce, Community, &
Economic Development indicate their strong support for the U.S.
Census Bureau's efforts to conduct the 2010 Census.
4:24:16 PM
MR. DAVENPORT referred to slide 14, titled "So where does this
lead us?" He answered that no single person or entity can do
this alone. He related that many low cost or no cost
strategies exist, but that partnering is the key component for
the success of the 2010 Census to increase the mail-in response
rate of census questionnaires and reduce the overall Census 2010
costs. The impacts are substantial [slide 15]. On a national
basis, the anticipated appropriation for the 2010 Census is
$1,400 for each person or $5,600 for a family of 4. Only one
census is conducted per decade. Thus, if one family of 4 is not
counted, the potential impact is a loss or reduction to the
state of $56,000.
MR. DAVENPORT offered to partner with legislators and the state
to build a machine in Alaska that will result in a complete
count [slide 16].
4:25:53 PM
CHAIR OLSON remarked that the meeting came about informally,
that the Gavel-to-Gavel coverage will be aired at least six
times and the presentation is also streaming live statewide. He
emphasized that the committee wants everyone counted. It is
important for the appropriation process as well as for
reapportionment. He welcomed participation and wants to help
people get counted for the U.S. 2010 Census. He offered to meet
informally to discuss ways to help.
4:27:23 PM
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON asked whether people will be counted at
their physical location as legislators will be in Juneau on
April 1, but she resides in North Pole.
MR. TANGUAY answered that she would receive a census
questionnaire at her home in North Pole and also at her
temporary residence here. He related that the system has
methods to recognize duplication, and the final question on the
Census Questionnaire is whether the person normally resides at
another location. In the event that the form mailed to her
North Pole address is not returned, a census taker will
physically go to the address to find out why it had not been
returned.
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON asked what would happen in the event
that a person does not want to answer all ten questions. She
elaborated that some people may believe some questions are not
the government's business.
MR. TANGUAY responded that a specific purpose exists for all ten
questions. He explained that some questions identify if a
school or senior citizen center should be built. One issue that
arose in an election process was that not enough language
ballots had been provided. The U.S. Census 2010 forms help
identify the breakdown of primary languages to help address that
issue. Birthdates are important to capture the age groups, so
one question asks the specific ages since some people put in the
wrong birth year. Reasons exist for each question, and if
people understand the reason for each question, they will be
less likely to avoid answering the questions. Part of the
enumerator's job is to help educate people with respect to the
importance of each question.
4:31:01 PM
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON asked specifically whether a person
will be counted if he/she does not answer all of the questions
on the 2010 Census Questionnaire.
MS. HAWLEY answered yes. She stated that the person will be
counted even if they do not answer 100 percent of the questions.
In further response to Representative T. Wilson, she answered
that the U.S. Census Bureau does not mail to U.S. Post Office
boxes but does list each residential address in its data bases.
Each housing unit is uniquely identified with a code. In the
event a Census Questionnaire is not returned, a census taker
will physically go to the door to determine why the form was not
returned. She related that often times a person did not realize
they received the form and may have inadvertently tossed the
form out.
4:32:44 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LYNN remarked that he is interested in genealogy.
He expressed concern that genealogists will not have access to
the information for 72 years. He inquired as to whether middle
initials would be used.
MS. HAWLEY responded that the Census Questionnaire is mailed to
a housing unit, not to a specific person. She stated that it is
a self-enumeration process and will be up to the individuals to
determine how they will list their names. She related that the
form contains a space for the middle initial. In further
response to Representative Lynn, she explained that if ten
people live in a household but the family only lists five, that
only five will be counted. She related that the Decennial
Census has always been self-enumeration and the forms are
provided and people fill them out. She emphasized the
importance in obtaining accurate information and her hopes that
partnering will help inform people of the importance in
answering the forms truthfully. She remarked that it does not
matter if the information reveals someone is in the state
illegally, and that some states like California have issues with
illegal aliens.
4:35:24 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LYNN noted that many families are non-traditional
families. He asked how people answer those types of questions.
MR. MALDONADO answered that again, the person decides how to
identify his/her relationship to the head of household. He
agreed that many unique relationships exist.
4:36:56 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LYNN remarked that a National Archives Office is
located in Anchorage and contains information on U.S. Censuses
taken dating back to 1790. He inquired as to whether the
records will also be on microfilm.
MS. HAWLEY answered that the information is scanned. In further
response to Representative Lynn, she related that one of the
last questions asked is for a phone number in case the
questionnaire information cannot be read.
4:38:15 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LYNN asked to have the 10 questions that will be
asked on the Census Questionnaire briefly described.
MR. TANGUAY stated that Question 1 is: "How many people were
living or staying in this house, apartment, or mobile home on
April 1, 2010?" This question sets the timeframe and number of
persons. He stated that Question 2 asks a follow up question,
"Were any additional people staying here April 1, 2010 that you
did not include in Question 1?" This question is designated to
trigger a person's memory, for example, a person may recall that
he/she did not include a new baby in the count or he/she
remembers that a grandfather is residing in their home for a
year or two.
4:39:07 PM
MR. TANGUAY said Question 3 asks, "Is this a house, apartment,
or mobile home..." This question basically provides an
understanding of whether the house or apartment is rented or
owned and who is staying at the home. Question 4 asks, "What is
your telephone number?" The telephone number is requested in
case any follow-up contact is needed.
4:39:52 PM
MR. TANGUAY related that Question 5 asks for the person's name,
last name, first name, and middle initial, which provides self
identification. Question 6 asks for the person's sex, male or
female. Question 7 asks for the person's age and his/her birth
date as an identifier, and to identify any duplication.
Question 9 asks whether the person is of Hispanic, Latino, or
Spanish origin, noting that for this census, Hispanic origins
are not considered races. Question 9 asks for the race, and
lists blocks that can be checked or a block to enter another
race not listed. Question 10 asks whether the person sometimes
lives or stay somewhere else. This helps to identify the
situation described earlier, in which a legislator has a home
but is in Juneau on April 1 to attend the legislative session.
4:40:47 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LYNN offered his strong support for the U.S.
Census, both for political and national reasons, but also for
the genealogical aspects.
4:41:04 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG asked from a constitutional or legal
point of view, what protection the person answering the Census
Questionnaire would have since, even if the person is illegally
in the country, they must fill out the form. He inquired as to
how a person who may be wanted by law enforcement under a court
order, or as a military deserter would be treated. He inquired
as to what constitutional rights the person would have to not
identify themselves.
MR. TANGUAY remarked that he strongly supports the
constitutional, legality, and confidentiality of the Census
Questionnaire. He answered that he has held conversations with
the director of the Division of Alaska State Troopers, Colonel
Holloway, and if he were to release any data he would be subject
to five years of incarceration and $250,000 fine.
4:42:31 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG asked whether the information is
subject to a subpoena.
MR. TANGUAY answered no. The information cannot be released to
any law enforcement, any governmental entity, individual, or
organization, he stated. Additionally, if a person photocopied
a census form, law enforcement could not use any of the
information in a court of law. He stressed that all census
information is protected and cannot be used against a person.
4:43:13 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG explained his interest in bilingual
voting. He related that many villages conduct bilingual voting
and in Kodiak, since so many Filipino people reside in these
areas and speak Tagalog. He asked for the bilingual process for
the U.S. Census 2010.
MR. MALDONADO offered that the U.S. Census 2010 forms are
available in Russian, Vietnamese, Korean, Chinese, and Spanish.
Certain parts of the country that have high Hispanic populations
will receive the questionnaire bilingually. Other areas can
request the questionnaire in those five languages.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG recalled that under the election laws
some areas must conduct bilingual voting by political
subdivision. He inquired as to whether any provision is made
for bilingual translators, since some languages in the Alaska
Native culture do not have any written languages.
MR. MALDONADO offered that the U.S. Census Bureau partners with
local communities and have identified Questionnaire Assistance
Centers (QAC). He explained that within the communities of
Anchorage, Juneau, and Fairbanks, and Kotzebue, the U.S. Census
Bureau will make efforts to find Tagalog speakers for Filipino
citizens to work at the QAC. Other people can receive
assistance by telephone. In the event an enumerator physically
contacts a non-responsive home, the Census taker will have
access to 59 languages to determine which language is spoken in
the home. In the event that a person needs translator, the U.S.
Census Bureau will hire one to translate for one household, if
necessary.
4:46:34 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG remarked that some people are very
senior and cannot leave their place of residence, that over 50
languages are spoken in the local elementary schools, and over
90 languages are spoken in high school, including Sudanese. He
related that his district is the gateway communities for
immigrants, as well as from rural Alaska. He said he hopes that
the U.S. Census Bureau will make necessary efforts to count the
bilingual population.
4:47:32 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CHENAULT asked for the reason that the U.S.
Census Bureau asks Question 8, and separates out the Hispanic,
Latino, or Spanish origins.
MR. MALDONADO explained that the questions in the U.S. Census
Bureau's Questionnaire were developed by the U.S. Office of
Management and Budget, with guidance from the Congress. The
U.S. Census Bureau is instructed which questions to ask.
4:48:41 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CHENAULT speculated that perhaps the U.S.
government is interested in the ratio or percentage of Cuban or
Puerto Rican people in the U.S. He said he was just curious
about the reason that Native Hawaiians are singled out versus
other Pacific Islanders, as well as the reason American Indian
or Alaska Native people are specifically identified.
4:49:47 PM
MS. HAWLEY reiterated that the U.S. Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) approved the questions. She explained that OMB has
a Steering Committee for the Questionnaire which is comprised of
statisticians and political appointees that reevaluate the prior
census and the needs of the government. She suggested that the
question of race and ethnicity was compiled from the frequency
of its use in the U.S. Census 2000. Thus, instead of having to
write the information in a block, a person would check a box
instead. The overall size of the form is limited to one page.
It is up to OMB to approve the final suggestions made by the
Steering Committee for the Questionnaire. She recalled that a
person from Alaska served on the steering committee.
4:51:13 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CHENAULT said he was not suggesting anything was
wrong with the form, but it appeared that the steering committee
was attempting to better identify the Latino or Hispanic
populations versus people from other countries.
REPRESENTATIVE LYNN imagined that the questions were likely
aimed at identifying trends, noting that he did not know. He
pointed out that most of the census forms dating back to 1850
had occupation listed. He said he was amazed that was not
listed on the form.
MR. MALDONADO related that the more robust demographic and
housing data is now compiled through the American Community
Survey, which used to be the long form. Since 2005, the U.S.
Census Bureau has been collecting ongoing data of the
demographics in the U.S.
4:53:16 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LYNN asked how the U.S. Census 2010 will guard
against a census taker who might submit extra forms to
deliberately skew the count.
MR. TANGUAY explained the form in member's packets is for
informational purposes. Each and every official US Census 2010
form is bar-coded for a specific housing unit. If a response is
not received, the housing unit receives a personal visit. The
U.S. Census Bureau also conducts internal checks, with a
standard chain of command, to provide quality control support,
and the region also provides quality control. Additionally, a
separate Quality Assurance Department also conducts random spot
checks on a certain percentage of forms for accuracy. If an
error is discovered, the U.S. Census Bureau area will redo the
area. Finally, the U.S. Census Bureau has a separate section
that confirms a percentage of the work that is performed to
insure accuracy of the census.
4:55:51 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LYNN asked whether any estimate is available for
the undercount in the U.S. Census 2000 or the U.S. Census 1990.
MR. MALDONADO answered that undercounts have happened. The U.S.
Census 2000 used a method, the Accurate Count Evaluation (ACE)
to determine accuracy, but that process is now called the Census
Count Measurement (CCM), and is used to determine any undercount
or over count of the census. After the final operation is
completed, the CCM conducts a census using a much smaller sample
size, reviews responses, variances, and performs comparisons to
determine if an under or over count exists. Historically, in
Alaska the native community has under counted. The robust
American Indian/Alaska Native partnership program and policies
have been designed to reverse that trend.
4:57:51 PM
MR. MALDONADO, in response to Representative Lynn, related that
the U.S. Census 1990 was underreported by 12 percent, but that
dropped to about 3.5 percent in the US Census 2000.
4:58:20 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CHENAULT asked whether the census form can
account for more than 12 people.
MS. HAWLEY related that the instructions on the right column,
has a block that instructs people to turn the page over and
continue. The U.S. Census Bureau will call the housing unit if
12 or more people reside at that location.
REPRESENTATIVE CHENAULT remarked that Representative Lynn has
likely reviewed more census forms that anyone on the committee.
4:59:53 PM
CHAIR OLSON asked for the effect that the U.S. Census 2010 will
have on places like New Orleans, since a number of its residents
are now scattered around the country due to an emergency
disaster.
MR. MALDONADO related 12 regions in the U.S. comprise the Census
Bureau and have been grappling with that issue. He related that
the U.S. Census 2010 will count people where they live and not
where they used to live. He agreed it will be a big change in
New Orleans, which will present unique challenges, including the
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) housing.
5:01:15 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG expressed concern that as baby boomers
reach retirement age that the snowbird concept applies and many
will not be back in Alaska by April 1st, but they consider
themselves to be Alaskans. Additionally, the Alaska National
Guard members may be counted where they are stationed instead of
where they customarily live.
MR. TANGUAY related that the U.S. Census 2010 enumerates by
housing unit. If a housing unit does not respond, the census
taker will determine if anyone is living in the housing unit.
5:04:24 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG clarified that he is not concerned
about the physical process, just that more and more seniors are
relocating to warmer climates. He asked for the reason that the
questions are not designed to determine the location where the
person customarily lives.
MS. HAWLEY explained that part of this is how the person answers
the questionnaire. A person can fill out a questionnaire in
Arizona and state that their home is in Alaska. It is where the
person spends most of their time. Since it is self-enumeration,
it is up to the person to indicate their home.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG stated that the person would answer on
April 1 but can list his/her permanent residence.
MS. HAWLEY clarified that people are asked to reference April 1.
She referred to the preface to Question 1, which read, "Count
all people, including babies, who live and sleep here most of
the time. Thus, if a person does not live at that location most
of the time, he/she would not count themselves on that form.
That person would respond on the form that is mailed to their
residence. She related a scenario, in which she lives in
Arizona, but wants to be counted in Alaska, which is her home.
She related she does not count herself on the form, but would
return it. She said the census taker would contact a neighbor
to obtain the name of the person who lives at the non-response
location. In that way, the person will be counted in Alaska, he
stated.
MR. MALDONADO answered that the non-response follow up (NRFU)
continues into the summer, during June - August, when most
people will be back in Alaska. He related that the census
takers will go back to the house six times to attempt to reach
the person who resides in the home.
5:08:10 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG referred to the person temporarily
residing in the resort. He did not see a place in the ten
questions on the form to allow the person to state that they
temporarily reside at the resort location.
MS. HAWLEY answered that the U.S. Census 2010 is not attempting
to determine a person's location on April 1.
5:08:44 PM
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON related that she has a university
student, but would not be counted at her home. Her daughter
lives at her home and votes in her district. She asked whether
the college student would be counted at her home.
MS. HAWLEY answered that when a student lives in the dormitory
or residence at the college, that he/she is counted in that
state.
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON suggested that the student should be
counted in the district.
MS. HAWLEY answered that the place the student lives nine months
of the year is the location for the census count.
5:10:01 PM
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON expressed concern that university
students would not be counted in Alaska. She asked if she would
be wrong to count the student in Alaska.
MS. HAWLEY answered yes.
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON clarified that the student in question
will reside in Alaska for nine months of the year.
MR. MALDONADO responded that if the student resides in Alaska
for nine months of the year that he/she would be counted in
Alaska for the census.
5:10:51 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Labor and Commerce Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at
5:10 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Timeline of the Major 2010 Census Operations_Alaska.pdf |
HL&C 2/5/2010 3:15:00 PM |
|
| Juneau Feb 5 2010 Final.pdf |
HL&C 2/5/2010 3:15:00 PM |
|
| Alaska TEA Areas.pdf |
HL&C 2/5/2010 3:15:00 PM |
|
| Alaska House Presentation 02.04.10.pdf |
HL&C 2/5/2010 3:15:00 PM |
|
| AK Hs L&C Comm 2-5-10.pdf |
HL&C 2/5/2010 3:15:00 PM |