Opinion

ENTERPRISE EDITORIAL: SE Texas needs full count in 2020 census

Mardi Gras season kicked off with the annual Beans N Jeans party at the Beaumont Civic Center. This year, Mardi Gras is moving to Beaumont. Photo made on Saturday, January 4, 2020. Fran Ruchalski/The Enterprise Mardi Gras season kicked off with the annual Beans N Jeans party at the Beaumont Civic Center. This year, Mardi Gras is moving to Beaumont. Photo made on Saturday, January 4, 2020. Fran Ruchalski/The Enterprise Photo: Fran Ruchalski/The Enterprise Photo: Fran Ruchalski/The Enterprise Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close ENTERPRISE EDITORIAL: SE Texas needs full count in 2020 census 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

This year you need to stand up and be counted — literally. We’re talking about the 2020 census, when the population of this region and every other part of the country will be measured for many official purposes, starting in April and running to July. In other parts of America, this may be pretty routine — conduct the census and see what the results are. In this region, it’s more important.

The unfortunate reality is that Southeast Texas has not been growing as fast as other parts of the state. That means less influence in the Legislature, and a reluctance by some companies to expand into our area because they don’t know if we’ll have enough customers for them. We need to remind the rest of the state and country that this is a great place to live and invest, and this census is an important opportunity to promote this goal.

Our efforts to grow haven’t been helped by Harvey and Imelda, when some area residents moved away and never came back. That’s unfortunate, but there’s nothing we can do about that now. Other areas have rebounded from natural disasters, and ours will, too.

Most Southeast Texans will willingly cooperate with the census. They’ll fill out the forms or talk with any census-takers who are going door-to-door. But some area residents will be reluctant to disclose any information to someone from “the government.” They may fear it could be used against them, or find a family member who owes child support or has an outstanding warrant.

It won’t. The census is about counting people, period. It has no connection with any other governmental searches or law enforcement. Census information is not made public for 72 years, and many of us won’t be around then.

This concern is especially relevant to our region’s growing population of immigrants, most of whom are here legally. Whatever anyone’s views on immigration, the census is a separate issue. If you live in this region, you need to be counted no matter your status. Immigrant children are probably going to a local public school, and census figures help determine how much state or federal aid these districts are eligible for.

The good news on this issue is that Southeast Texas is poised for considerable growth in the coming decade. The petrochemical plants are undergoing billions of dollars worth of expansion. All three LNG export terminals should be fully operational and busy. The Sabine Neches ship channel is finally going to be deepened like many other channels along the Gulf Coast, giving our public ports access to more and larger ships from around the world. All of that means more jobs and tax revenue, the two things that our cities and counties need to become bigger and better.

But we need to begin this decade with a running start to reach that potential, and a full census count is a vital first step. Do your part, and make sure your friends and family members do theirs. Let the federal government know that you matter by taking part in this census.