NOTE: As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended for use by the standing finance committees of the legislature.  The Legislative Finance Committee does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information in this report when used in any other situation.

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(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC files

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

HM 21 extends support to the U.S. census bureau as it conducts a complete and accurate count of NM residents as of April 1, 2000. The bill encourages the citizens of NM to support census 2000 and assist the U.S. census bureau by completing the census questionnaires promptly and accurately. The bill requests that copies of the memorial be transmitted to the NM leadership of census 2000 for appropriate distribution.

Significant Issues

HM 21 affirms that:

• •A decennial census of every residence is required under Article 1, Section 2 of the US constitution.
• •An accurate census is essential for the allocation of representation for appropriate legislative bodies.
• •Billions of dollars in inter-governmental funding is dependent on accurate census data.
• •The state of NM was undercounted in 1990 by more that 48,000 resulting in an $80,000,000 loss to the state.
• •All units of governments, nonprofit organizations, religious organizations, and businesses require accurate census data for investments, job development and marketing guidance.
• •All information is held confidential.
• •Census 2000 in NM is being carried out under the capable leadership of Fernando C de Baca in Albuquerque, Arlene Roybal in Las Cruces, and Francisco Apodaca in Santa Fe.

BD/gm