NEW YORK, NY – Following the announcement of the SFY 2019-20 budget today, which notably failed to include the $40 million allocation of funding for Census 2020 outreach and education initially included in both NYS Senate and Assembly One House budgets, Steven Choi, Executive Director of the New York Immigration Coalition, issued the following statement:
"News that New York State's budget allocation for Census 2020 has been slashed to $20 million is devastating for immigrants and all New Yorkers. It is shameful that our leaders would shortchange New York by allocating five times less than California, raising the specter of an undercount and the real possibility that New York will lose billions in Federal funding and another two vital Congressional seats. Any further erosion of power for our Congressional delegation will result in continued regressive federal policies for the state (like SALT) and diminished power and influence vis a vis other big states like California, Florida and Texas. We urge Governor Cuomo to commit an additional $20 million through the Empire State Development Corporation as promised earlier this year, to save New York's fair share of political representation and federal dollars."
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