The News-Herald - U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown wants people who live in Ohio to fill out their U.S. Census forms and return them as quickly as possible. If people don't, Brown says, the state, county and local governments could lose significant federal funding that is awarded based partially on population figures.

"The Census determines the future of our state," Brown said. "It determines the resources, services and funding we'll have available to ensure our children grow up with the education and medical care they need."

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Roll Call - Nearly every Senator agrees in theory that financial regulatory reform needs to be addressed this year, but Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Chairman Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) is finding it difficult to turn that into actual “yes” votes, especially from Republicans.

Dodd is continuing to negotiate with Banking ranking member Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) and committee Democrats, though it remains unclear whether he will find the sweet spot that will ultimately win at least 60 votes on the Senate floor for the 1,300-page bill. However, while committee Democrats have expressed some reservations, Dodd is likely still to be able to count on their support.

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The Chronicle-Telegram - ELYRIA — Lorain County Transit may be able to restore routes and bring more drivers back to work if a new bill seeking changes in the way federal mass transit money is used wins approval in Congress.

The legislation is especially meaningful to LCT because the cash-strapped county’s lack of money prevented it from using available federal funds, according to Commissioner Ted Kalo.

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