Push back on metro area change By Mike Schneider - Associated Press A bipartisan group of U.S. senators and congressmen is urging the federal government not to approve recommendations to remove 144 cities from the designation of metropolitan statistical areas. Reclassifying them as “micropolitan” would put key federal funding at risk, they said. Lima is one of the cities at risk by the change, Lima Mayor David Berger and Allen Economic Development Group president Dave Stratton said last week. They worry the change could have adverse implications for federal funding and economic development, since some housing, transportation and Medicare reimbursement programs are directed specifically to metropolitan statistical areas.