Paterson forms panel to raise 2010 census count
Worried about losing clout in Washington to more populous states, Gov. David A. Paterson ramped up efforts last week to include all state residents in the 2010 census.
More than 202,000 New Yorkers weren't counted in the last census, in 2000. Improving on that is crucial to keeping the state from losing U.S. House seats to faster growing states in the South and West.
Census data also are used to redraw congressional and state legislative districts, a concern of Republicans who fear losing seats in their upstate base.
"It is critically important for the future of New York that we assure a complete and accurate count," Paterson said after forming an oversight committee. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-Mineola), agreed, saying, "by accounting for all . . . it will enable the state to have the proper amount of congressional representation, which in turn means our fair share of federal funding."
- James T. Madore in Albany
'They are in every town' Police have raided nearly 240 spas in the last five years — 85 places more than once — and arrests are up more than 1200%. Newsday investigative reporter Sandra Peddie has the details.
