If you haven’t already completed your 2020 US Census Questionnaire, the Mobile Census Unit will be at the Gallatin Transfer Station tomorrow, Saturday, September 12th from 9:00 am t 11:00 am to answer your questions and help you fill out the questionnaire using their secure tablets.  If you can’t get there tomorrow, they will be at Gallatin Town Hall parking lot on Saturday, September 19 from 9:00 am to 11:00 am.

Some thoughts about the importance of completing your questionnaire.

• Estimates of between $675 Billion and $1.5 Trillion Federal tax dollars are distributed to state and local governments based upon population numbers gathered from the US Census.  If our residents are not counted, our share of these revenues will be reduced for the next ten years until the 2030 Census.  This also affects the grant dollars that towns, fire districts, and other agencies can receive that are based on population size.  Our share of state sales taxes will also be impacted.  Let’s not leave that money on the table, and keep our property taxes lower.

• The number of Representatives that New York sends to Congress is based on the US Census data, and failure to be counted can reduce our influence at the federal level.

• The personal data that you provide on the questionnaire is protected by law, and will not be released publicly for 72 years.

• Completing the US Census will not increase your likelihood of being called for jury duty.  In addition, citizenship, income, religious or political affiliation data are not collected.