Top officials on Monday began an eight-month push to increase census response rates — and the federal and political benefits that can accompany them.
Nine years ago, only 67 percent of people nationwide responded to the census — 71 percent in Allegheny County and 61 percent in Pittsburgh, said Philip Lutz, assistant regional census manager.
"I think municipalities have a vested interest in getting numbers as accurate and as high as possible," said Chris Briem, an economist and census expert at the University of Pittsburgh.
Census counts are used to determine how to distribute $435 billion a year and how legislative districts are drawn. The fewer people counted in an area, the fewer representatives that area gets. Segments of the population where census officials have the most trouble getting responses — urban, low-income, and minority, for example — tend to vote Democratic.
Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato and Mayor Luke Ravenstahl — both Democrats — formed a committee to convince people of the count's importance. Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch was named honorary chairman. Former state Supreme Court Justice Cynthia Baldwin and the Rev. Dr. J. Van Alfred Winsett, of Ebenezer Baptist Church in the Hill District, will serve as co-chairs.
"People don't get excited about it, but this is one of the most important things we do," Onorato said. "If you get it wrong, it's a 10-year mistake."
Minorities make up about 35 percent of Pittsburgh's population, and undercounting them diminishes their voice in government, Ravenstahl said.
"That's a very real issue when you look at the political dynamic of it. I think that's why it's important we have three reputable African-Americans who are leading this charge for us in Justice Baldwin, Rev. Winsett and of course Charlie Batch. People need to look up and see role models and hear people talk about how important it is," Ravenstahl said.
Allegheny County Republican Committee Chairman Jim Roddey said Onorato and Ravenstahl should ensure Republicans have a voice on the committees.
"On the local level, I would hope they would make this a bipartisan effort and not just appoint Democrats to this commission or committee," Roddey said. "It should not be a partisan effort."
Baldwin and Winsett are registered Democrats. Batch is registered as a Republican, according to county voting records.
Onorato spokesman Kevin Evanto said their political leanings weren't considered when they were selected.
"We don't check people's party affiliation when we do this. I have no idea whether Rev. Winsett is a Democrat or Republican. Cynthia Baldwin was a Supreme Court justice who spent her career being nonpartisan," Evanto said.
"I'm really surprised Jim Roddey is politicizing something as important as the census, which is so important to people regardless of their party affiliation."
