Sedona AZ (May 3, 2018) – Controversy has been swirling around the 2020 Census ranging from concerns about the budget allocated to conduct a fair and accurate count to the controversial questions under discussion to be included. In Arizona, Coconino County Supervisor Elizabeth “Liz” Archuleta has been an outspoken advocate of the need for a fair and accurate count and the consequences to Arizonans and the state of Arizona if that does not happen.
Archuleta will address a special meeting hosted by the League of Women Voters Greater Verde Valley on Wednesday, May 16, 12:30pm-2:00pm at the Sedona Public Library, 3250 White Bear Rd., Sedona. Her presentation will be “Census 2020: If You Aren’t Counted, You Don’t Count.” The program is free and open to the public.
According to the United States Census Bureau, “Our Founding Fathers enshrined the Census into the Constitution. The U.S. Constitution empowers the Congress to carry out the census in ‘such manner as they shall by Law direct’ (Article I, Section 2). The Founders of our fledgling nation had a bold and ambitious plan to empower the people over their new government. The plan was to count every person living in the newly created United States of America, and to use that count to determine representation in the Congress. Enshrining this invention in our Constitution marked a turning point in world history. Previously censuses had been used mainly to tax or confiscate property or to conscript youth into military service. The genius of the Founders was taking a tool of government and making it a tool of political empowerment for the governed over their government.”
While a decennial census is required by the Constitution, insufficient funding could mean a greater undercount of traditionally undercounted groups such as poor people, young children, immigrants, and non-English speakers, reducing public services and congressional representation for them. The information is also important for businesses and civic organizations dependent upon accurate demographics for their decision making.
Liz Archuleta is currently serving her sixth term on the Coconino County Board of Supervisors representing District Two. She is the first Latina elected to office in the history of Coconino County. Liz has deep roots in Flagstaff and Coconino County, Arizona. She is a native of Flagstaff and fourth generation resident. Her history and knowledge of Northern Arizona is an invaluable asset to the Board. Supervisor Archuleta has numerous accomplishments, some of which include the establishment of a regional transportation system, several county outreach programs, community-led initiatives, public safety improvements and land use area-planning efforts.
On the state level, Liz has served as the President of the County Supervisors Association, representing the 15 counties and 55 county supervisors in the State of Arizona. She has been the leader of discussions on water issues on the state level and in Northern Arizona, emphasizing the need for the development of regional solutions. Supervisor Archuleta also served on the Governor’s Arizona Statewide Water Advisory Council. She has also testified on behalf of Arizona and Coconino County regarding the preservation of the Colorado River.
Supervisor Archuleta has been instrumental in shaping public lands policy on the national level. As the Chairwoman of the National Association of Counties Public Lands Steering Committee (2007-2009), she led the successful reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act and full funding of Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) for all counties. She testified before Congress on numerous occasions on the importance of reauthorizing these programs, both which provided millions of dollars in funding for counties across the nation. In addition, Liz has supported public policy to increase Forest Health, forest-related industries, and environmental protection and preservation.
Liz has received many awards including the Athena Award recognizing her achievements as the most outstanding woman in Flagstaff and the statewide Valle del Sol Exemplary Leadership Award. During Arizona’s Centennial, Supervisor Archuleta was recognized as one of Arizona’s Latina Trailblazers.
For more information contact Barbara Litrell 649-0135 or blitrell@aol.com