Letters to the editor for Friday, Feb. 15

In response to Gov. Tim Pawlenty's State of the State address, DFL Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller said, "Anybody can cut things. It takes creativity and leadership to bring revenue to the table."

Is implementing seven new taxes truly a form of creativity and leadership? Looking at my last pay stub, I see that federal, state, Social Security and Medicare taxes are currently being taken out.

With what's left I get to pay sales tax, gasoline tax, property taxes, license tabs, emergency 911 surcharge, local community service tax, state community service tax, telecommunications surcharge, just to name a few.

When will the DFL understand that it cannot provide everything to everyone? Stop spending and start cutting to balance your checkbook, just as the taxpayers of this state are forced to do in their own households!

ROBERT JACKSON, ROSEMOUNT

So Gov. Pawlenty got out his "taxpayer-protection pen" to save us from those spendthrift legislators. I'd be far more impressed if he got out his "bridge-and-roads-protection pen," his "student-protection pen" or his "environment-protection pen" and decided to work with the Legislature to stop Minnesota's slide to the bottom in terms of infrastructure, education and quality of life.

Sadly, I suspect he's really more interested in using his "Pawlenty-protection pen" to protect his standing with the national Republican Party than he is in working with the rest of the state for a brighter future.

Pohlad-protecting pen I saw that Tim Pawlenty has a "taxpayer-protection pen." Where was that pen when we needed protection from a subsidy for his billionaire buddy Carl Pohlad?

DARREN TOBOLT, ST. PAUL

Start with salaries Because of the condition of our state's budget and infrastructure and our lack of adequate funding for education and health care, I think the governor should use his red pen and cut his salary and the salary of all elected representatives. The proceeds could be directed to our state agencies. How patriotic that would be!

BONNIE STRAND, BLOOMINGTON

The Legislature is -- again -- on its way toward passing a sensible, comprehensive, bipartisan, pay-as-you-go transportation-funding package. And the governor is again threatening a veto.

If we aren't each willing to annually pay an amount comparable to a monthly cable bill, cell phone bill, Internet access bill or any other luxury bill, then it is time to quit whining about traffic congestion and the condition of our infrastructure. We are getting exactly what we are paying for: potholes and gridlock.

MELINDA L. ERICKSON, MINNEAPOLIS

Rep. Shelley Madore's experience with the health care system is heart-wrenching and cries out for reform in the way far too many Minnesota families pay for (or more accurately, can't pay for) the medical care they need (Star Tribune, Feb. 12).

One frustration that many Minnesota families experience is the fee they pay for ongoing medical services through Medical Assistance for their children with disabilities. While these families are willing to pay this fee, it became much less affordable in 2003 when legislators voted to increase the fee dramatically. About 10 percent of those families affected by the increased fees ended up dropping this health care coverage because they simply could not afford the fee increase. While legislators have since provided a minimal measure of relief in the parental fees, in many cases, the fees are still higher than many families can afford.

The stories from Madore and other Minnesota households should impress upon our elected officials that we need to keep the momentum going this year toward real progress on health care that is more available and affordable to all.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ARC OF MINNESOTA

Hillary Rodham Clinton or Hillary Clinton -- which one is running for president?

I've seen and heard both in the Star Tribune and on CNN and MPR. If the media don't know who she is, how can the voters?

ELIZABETH PAVLICA, BLOOMINGTON

Katherine Kersten hit the nail on the head regarding the hyped-up, bipartisan support and subsidy of ethanol producers in Minnesota by the Legislature and the governor ("Ethanol: Is it a miracle cure or another dose of snake oil?" Feb. 13). The price of food has gone up tremendously in Minnesota and around the world since this process gained support in the United States as a way of reducing our need for foreign fuels.

DON KERR, BLAINE

Looking for some good news? I filed my Minnesota income tax return electronically on Feb. 9; on Feb. 12, my refund was electronically deposited in my bank account! This is a huge improvement over prior years, and a great way to inject cash into our sagging economy.

Congratulations to the Minnesota Department of Revenue for this excellent performance. It shows what government can do when it gets busy and "just does it."