Vital Census Tool Gets Axe in the House

Jason Jordan reports on last week's stunning vote in the House of Representatives to eliminate the American Community Survey (ACS) in its entirety.

1 minute read

May 14, 2012, 8:00 AM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


The elimination of the ACS, should it come to pass, would be a significant blow to a variety of fields that rely on its data. The ACS, "is now the primary source of vital community data and [is] used by key
federal programs, like the Community Development Block Grants, in
determining funding allocations. It is also heavily relied upon by
businesses, economists, academics and, of course, planners," notes Jordan.

Approved by a 232 to 190 vote, the amedment to eliminate the American Community Survey (ACS) was offered by Rep. Daniel Webster (R-Fla.), following approval of an earlier amendment making ACS responses voluntary (a significant challenege to the accuracy of the data in itself).

According to Jordan, "Census supporters, ranging from corporations to equity organizations,
plan to mount an aggressive effort in the Senate to block the ACS
provisions."

Thursday, May 10, 2012 in APA Policy News

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Blue and silver Amtrak train with vibrant green and yellow foliage in background.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail

The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

July 14, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Worker in yellow safety vest and hard hat looks up at servers in data center.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power

Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

July 18 - Inside Climate News

Former MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood standing in front of MARTA HQ with blurred MARTA sign visible in background.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns

MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

July 18 - WABE

Rendering of proposed protected bikeway in Santa Clara, California.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant

A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.

July 17 - San José Spotlight