Missouri Demographer Urges High Census Count

Staff Writer

March 30, 2009

JEFFERSON CITY, MO (AP) --—

Missouri's top demographer says the state could keep all of its current congressional seats and secure more federal funding if more people fill out a Census form next year. Several population models have Missouri losing one of nine seats in the U.S. House based on the projected results of the 2010 Census. But State Demographer Matt Hesser says local officials have to convince only about 60,000 extra people to fill out forms to keep that seat.

About $300 billion in federal funds also are apportioned based on Census figures. Hesser spoke Monday to the first meeting of Missouri's Complete Count Committee, which is charged with publicizing the Census. Census forms will be mailed to houses next March.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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