By JOHN CHERRY
It is hard to go anywhere without seeing advertisements for the 2010 Census. Even while watching the Super Bowl I was reminded that Census Day is fast approaching! Census Day, April 1st, is right around the corner and everyone must be counted.
As chair of Michigan's Complete Count Committee, I am proud to be part of the effort to make sure everyone is counted in Michigan. It's critical for Michigan's future. For every person not counted, our state loses $10,000, ($40,000 for a family of four), over the course of the next 10 years to other states.
Now imagine if one person grew to 10 people, 100 people or even 1,000 people. Our state alone would lose up to $10,000,000 from the federal government.
What does that money mean to you and your family? The money generated for our state from the Census helps provide health care for children and senior citizens, funds our schools, keeps our water safe, helps fix our roads and provides essential services to citizens in need. Our census count also ensures we have fair representation in Congress.
The Census also means jobs. Twenty-four thousand people in Michigan will be hired to help ensure that everyone in our state is counted. They are currently recruiting temporary, part-time workers in your area. These short-term jobs offer good pay, flexible hours, paid training, and reimbursement for authorized work-related expenses, including mileage. And while these positions are temporary, they pay well -- anywhere from $11.25 to $19.25 per hour.
Census jobs are ideal for people who want to work part-time, those who are between jobs, or just about anyone who wants to earn extra money while performing an important service for their community and our state.
Michigan citizens currently receiving unemployment benefits may also qualify for Census jobs while maintaining some level of benefit. If you work part-time for the Census, and your wages are no more than one and a half times your unemployment benefits payment, you can continue to receive weekly unemployment benefits at a reduced rate throughout the duration of your Census employment.
Following the end of your job, your full unemployment benefit rate may be payable for any remaining weeks left on your unemployment claim. To learn more about Census work and how your unemployment benefits may be affected, visit: http://bit.ly/d7VLn6.
The 2010 Census is critical for Michigan. It's our chance to ensure that we're well represented in Washington and that we receive our fair share of federal dollars for investments in our people and our communities. And over the next several months, the Census will bring our state 24,000 jobs.
So if you're interested in working for the Census, call toll-free at (866) 861-2010 or visit www.michigan.gov/census2010 for more information.
And when your Census questionnaire arrives in your mailbox in a few weeks, fill it out. Be Counted!
About the author: John D. Cherry Jr. is Lieutenant Governor of Michigan
About the forum: The forum is a periodic column of opinion written by Record-Eagle readers in their areas of interest or expertise. Submissions of 500 words or less may be made by e-mailing letters@record-eagle.com. Please include biographical information and a photo.
