Status of Plans for the 1990 Decennial Census

GAO discussed the status of the 1990 decennial census. GAO found that: (1) the 1990 census could cost $3 billion; and (2) the Census Bureau's estimate of $2.6 billion did not fully incorporate potential cost increases. GAO also found that the Bureau: (1) has identified $40 million in savings, but needs to determine its program priorities to avoid cutbacks and supplemental appropriation requests; (2) faces serious difficulties in attracting and retaining over 400,000 temporary census employees; (3) has initiated major efforts to improve the competitiveness of its pay rates and is considering geographic pay scales for 1990; and (4) needs to continue early efforts to plan for the 2000 census.