Census Bureau to Return $1.6 Billion to Public Coffers

A government agency coming in under budget? Shock of shocks.

The U.S. Census Bureau announced plans to give back $1.6 billion of their $7 billion budget for the year, as the agency’s expenses were not as high as originally estimated. The savings include returning $800 million from an emergency fund (no Census-related emergency occured) and $650 million earmarked for tracking down individuals who did not return their Census forms (more people returned the form than projected.)

“With proficient management, the cooperation of the American public and a little bit of luck, the census stayed on track with significant cost savings to taxpayers,” said Commerce Secretary Gary Locke in a statement. (via CNN)