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This a thread of Census receipts. The state failed us.
In April of 2019, the budget allocated $20 million for Census outreach. It wasn't nearly enough, but we knew how important this Census would be and made a down payment to get New Yorkers counted. 1/13 https://www.gothamgazette.com/city/8413-state-budget-includes-20-million-in-census-outreach-funding-half-what-advocates-wanted
In April of 2019, the budget allocated $20 million for Census outreach. It wasn't nearly enough, but we knew how important this Census would be and made a down payment to get New Yorkers counted. 1/13 https://www.gothamgazette.com/city/8413-state-budget-includes-20-million-in-census-outreach-funding-half-what-advocates-wanted
Five months later, not a dime had been distributed and 33 of my colleagues from every level of government called on the Governor not only to release the funds, but to distribute it in a way that was commensurate with the hardest-to-count communities. 2/13 https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/zellnor-myrie/state-senator-zellnor-myrie-and-33-brooklyn-elected-officials
Six months after we passed the budget, the funds STILL weren't distributed. The hold up was squarely in the Governor's office. 3/13 https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/politics/2019/10/18/state-census-funds-held-up-by-cuomo-administration
In November of 2019, we reiterate our call for the release of the funds. 4/13 https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/zellnor-myrie/senator-zellnor-y-myrie-calls-governor-cuomo-release-census
In January of 2020, as the requests are ignored, we worked closely with the real Census heroes -- community groups and the NYC Census operation -- to educate the community 5/13 https://patch.com/new-york/prospectheights/take-10-minutes-brooklyns-slice-73b-census-pie-video
We're approaching a year since the budget passed and not a single dollar dispersed but in March of 2020, days before COVID-19 would change everything, @YourFavoriteASW and I kicked off our Complete Count Committee with a Day of Action in the community 6/13 https://www.gothamgazette.com/state/9178-central-brooklyn-officials-organize-day-of-action-to-raise-2020-census-awareness-in-hard-to-count-neighborhoods
A lot of talk, but still, nothing from the state 7/13 https://www.politico.com/states/new-york/albany/story/2020/03/09/state-slow-to-start-its-census-prep-efforts-1265981
It's now July of 2020 -- months before the count is due -- and support from the state is nowhere to be found. Yes, we were battling COVID. Yes, it was tough for everyone. But the community was ready and able to engage creatively and safely. Nothing. 8/13 https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2020/07/15/new-york-lawmakers-fear-census-undercount--and-the-disastrous-potential-implications
One month before pens down, and the City is doing heroic work. To all of the NYC Census 2020 team, thank you. To all of our community partners who labored every day, thank you. 9/13 https://gothamist.com/news/time-to-hit-the-panic-button-nyc-going-it-alone-in-rush-to-beat-the-census-deadline
Some money started flowing in September but it was too little, too late. We did what we could. We held tons of events, made tons of calls, even held a Census march. 10/13 https://www.caribbeanlifenews.com/census-march-for-racial-justice/
In the face of Census suppression, no state support, and a global pandemic, NYC beat the odds and matched the 2010 numbers. It was remarkable and full credit goes to the Census workers and volunteers who lived and breathed this effort. 11/13 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/21/nyregion/census-nyc.html
So forgive me if I'm a little incensed that this administration never took the Census seriously. Was it the only reason we missed the mark by 89 people? No. Do I believe that we would be in a different position today had the Governor heeded the calls of the community? YES 12/13
Maybe next time we'll listen to impacted communities instead of just posing with them for photos. smh. 13/13
