New Orleans resident or not?
By Alicia Haefele

BATON ROUGE, La. – According to the Census Bureau, New Orleans residents who are displaced by Hurricane’s Katrina and Rita have until April 1, 2010, to move back in order to be counted in the Census.

The Census counts population numbers that will determine congressional seats and federal allocations for the next 10 years.

Anyone who arrives on or after April 2, 2010, will be considered a resident of the city they currently are residing in.

“This is at least a target that people can push for," said Gabriel Sanchez, director of the Census Bureau's Dallas Regional Office. "We need to count people where they are living by April 1, and we need to get that message out."

Louisiana currently holds seven seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. Demographers predict that Louisiana will lose at least one of the seven seats after the 1010 census.

In mid-2007, the Census Bureau estimated a population of 240,000 residents in New Orleans. Mayor Ray Nagin and others believe that the number is significantly higher, around 300,000. The mayor hopes that the Census Bureau will reconsider. If the population estimate remains at 240,000, then Louisiana could lose up to $55.8 million dollars in a three year period.

To all of the people living in Houston, Atlanta, or wherever it is you evacuated to, that display the Saints or fleur de lis flag in front of your new home, MOVE BACK! If you are so proud to call New Orleans home, then why not move back and help your city have a voice!