News Clips

Rhode Island's governor has created a committee to increase awareness about the 2020 census and motivate residents to respond.

Gov. Gina Raimondo is assembling a committee to make sure as many people living in Rhode Island as possible, preferably all of them, are counted in the 2020 Census.

The national census of 2020 holds huge importance for Rhode Island and Governor Raimondo is creating a committee to see that all residents are counted.

Omar Bah had sequestered himself on the back porch of a relative’s home, all the better to work on his doctoral dissertation, when he heard three hard knocks on the door. “They knocked on the door, very hard, like a police knock,” said Bah, an immigrant from The Gambia and executive director of Providence’s Refugee Dream Center.

To boost participation in the 2018 Census test that’s taking place in Providence County, Common Cause is partnering with Central Falls to host a “Test Run” through the city’s streets on June 2. “We’re doing this for two reasons,” said John Marion, executive director of Common Cause Rhode Island, which promotes transparent and effective government. “First, is the lack of awareness of the test right now and the fact that the Census Bureau has effectively zero budget devoted to promoting awareness.

Campaign season continues to heat up, with the end-of-June filing deadline drawing ever closer. So thanks for stopping by for my weekly column. As usual, your tips and comments are welcome, and you can follow me through the week on the twitters. Here we go.