Florida TaxWatch has released a new commentary titled "Advancing Florida’s Children Issues Begins with a Complete Census Count." This report examines the impact of census undercounts on Florida's children and emphasizes the importance of accurate census data for federal funding allocation.
Dominic M. Calabro, President and CEO of Florida TaxWatch, stated, “Florida’s census undercount results in federal funding allocations that are not commensurate with Florida’s population size, forcing the state to strain the use of taxpayer dollars to cover a larger population than intended. If the state undergoes extenuating circumstances that result in emergency federal funding – such as pandemics and natural disasters – the loss of dollars will be close to $21 billion. In 2030, Florida needs a complete census count to better support one of its most vulnerable populations: young children.”
The report highlights that Florida has historically faced significant census undercounts, with an estimated 750,000 Floridians not recorded in 2020. Particularly concerning is the undercount among young children aged 0-4 years, where an estimated 113,000 were not included.
The fiscal implications of these undercounts are substantial. The report estimates losses of $460 million intended for Medicaid and $9.2 million for the Child Care and Development Fund annually due to inaccurate counts.
As preparations for the 2030 Census begin, Florida TaxWatch urges residents to engage actively in ensuring full participation by staying informed about census issues, acting as trusted messengers within their communities, lending their voices to advocacy efforts, and investing through grassroots initiatives or philanthropic organizations.
Florida TaxWatch serves as an independent government watchdog organization focused on enhancing productivity and accountability within Florida's government structures.