FROM THE FEDERAL STATISTICAL SYSTEM

The COPAFS Column

Edward J. Spar, Executive Director

On February 7th, the President presented his 1996 Budget to the American people and the new Republican Chairs of Congressional Committees. In this very tough fiscal year there can be little doubt that federal statistical budgets will be looked at closely. The new Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, Bob Livingston (LA), has made it quite plain that if a scalpel won't work, a Bowie knife is just fine.

Major changes are underway regarding oversight for the Census Bureau. Responsibility in the House will now rest with the Subcommittee on National Security, International Affairs, and Criminal Justice of the new Committee on Government Reform and Oversight. The Subcommittee is chaired by William Zeliff (NH). In the Senate, the Subcommittee on Regulation and Government Information has been eliminated. Census Bureau oversight is likely to rest with the full Government Affairs Committee, chaired by William Roth (DE). Oversight and appropriations subcommittees will play major roles in the planning and design for the Year 2000 Census.

In 1995, we expect the House Subcommittee to monitor a number of critical issues:

• The outcome of the 1995 Test Census. There will be important statistical implications for data users if it proves feasible to sample for non-response and also conduct a "one-number" Census.
• Based upon H.R. 6, "Improving America's Schools Act," the Census Bureau will update data for counties and local education agencies on the number of children aged 5 to 17 from families below the poverty level. These new data will affect the allocation of tax dollars. William Goodling, chair of the new House Economic and Educational Opportunity Committee, plans to take a close look at federal school programs for poor children because he doubts that their current structure "is really helping many disadvantaged children become more advantaged, despite all the money we've poured into them." Does this translate into state block grants?
• The Census Bureau plans to test wording changes to questions on race and ethnicity, based on OMB's decision to review current definitions. Any changes will influence classifications of individuals for education, employment and other activities at the local level.
• The Census Bureau is evaluating the feasibility of conducting a continuous survey throughout the next decade to replace or enhance the Census long form. This potential change may forfeit demographic and socio-economic data for local decision making.

COPAFS is in touch with Congressman Zeliff's subcommittee and plans to raise user concerns. It's too early to tell what will happen to the federal statistical budgets but now is the time for you to let the "Hill" know the importance of demographic data to society. It's imperative that you write your own representatives, and those who are responsible for oversight and appropriations. Our world of demographers does not get involved enough with the realities of the political process. Given the current climate, this MUST change. It's up to you.

New Award for Innovation in Federal Statistics

The Roger Herriot Award has been established by the Washington Statistical Society, and the Social Statistics and Government Statistics sections of the American Statistical Association, in memory of Roger Herriot. Herriot was Associate Commissioner for Statistical Standards and Methodology at the National Center for Education Statistics and former chief of the Population Division at the Census Bureau.

Herriot's federal career was marked by his unique and innovative approaches to solving problems in federal statistical data collection, analysis, and program management. This award, therefore, is to recognize innovative approaches in the federal statistical system.

A wide array of activities within the federal statistical data system qualify, including introducing new methods into a federal statistical data program; an insightful and innovative analysis of data; improving understanding of issues in measurement, especially income measurement; and creative management of programs, with the aim of reducing bureaucratic impediments.

The award is not restricted to senior scholars, nor is it to be considered as a culmination of a career of incremental contributions. Rather individuals at all levels, from entry to senior, and from all sectors--federal, private, or academic-- will be considered, based on the unique significance and approach of their contributions.

The Award consists of an honorarium of $500, to be presented at the Memorial Session in honor of Mr. Herriot at the 1995 meeting of the American Statistical Association.

For a nomination form, contact: Daniel Kasprzyk at (202) 319-1588, Fax: (202) 219-1728, e-mail: Daniel_Kasprzyk@ed. gov. Nomination forms should be returned by June 1, 1995, to: the Roger Herriot Award Committee, c/o Daniel Kasprzyk, 4906 Colonel Contee Place, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772-2875.