Governors Strickland, Granholm Place Friendly Wager on 2010 U.S. Census

Press Release

Ohio Governor Strickland today accepted a friendly wager from Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm in an effort to encourage 100 percent participation from Ohio citizens in the 2010 U.S. Census.

"Ohioans never back down from a challenge, especially from our neighbors up north," Strickland said. "I am encouraging all Ohioans to take a few minutes to answer 10 Census questions because an accurate count will help ensure that Ohio receives its fair share of federal resources. These federal funds contribute to the health and well-being of everyday Ohioans by supporting education, public transportation, road maintenance and construction, and programs that assist our most vulnerable citizens."

"I am counting on every Michigan citizen to fill out their Census form and mail it back," Granholm said. "Census data helps determine how more than $400 billion in federal funds each year are allocated to states and local communities for critical services like health care, job-training, education and infrastructure projects. During these tough economic times, Michigan can't afford to be short-changed."

Granholm and Strickland have agreed that the governor whose state has the higher percentage of Census forms returned by mail by Earth Day, April 22 will donate a specimen of its state tree to the state with the lower rate of return. The tree exchange will take place on Arbor Day, April 30, and the governor receiving the tree will have it planted in a spot of his or her choosing. A photo of the governor and the tree will be publicly released.

Michigan's state tree is the White Pine and Ohio's state tree is the Ohio Buckeye.

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