Letters to the editor for Monday, Feb. 25

The Legislature has now completed the second week of its 2008 session and should be applauded for its excellent work in the past 10 days.

The Legislature has adopted a transportation funding plan that includes a moderate increase in the gas tax and license tab fees on luxury vehicles, as well as bonding to accelerate major projects throughout the state, and additional dollars for investment in transit.

This transportation funding bill is a compromise and reflects the legislative process at its best. This compromise has the support of not only the Itasca Project and its 45 CEOs of the state's largest companies, but it has the support of virtually all of the state's major business and trade organizations.

We understand and respect Gov. Tim Pawlenty's philosophical views and his opposition to any tax increases. However, the Itasca Project participants and the Minnesota business community leaders recognize the need to invest in and maintain our state's vital transportation infrastructure. We see daily how growing congestion makes it increasingly difficult to move products in our state's economy.

Few would dispute that our state is significantly behind in funding transportation: The list of needs and associated costs grows longer each year. The price tag is too great to solve all of our transportation needs in one legislative session or transportation bill.

But it is imperative that progress is made during the 2008 legislative session by this transportation funding bill being adopted into law. This proposal may seem very large and very costly, but it is actually quite moderate compared to the needs that have been shown to be necessary by the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

Minnesota cannot wait any longer to address what is critical to the economic competitiveness and quality of life of our state.

and CEO of HealthPartners

I am not a member of a Minnesota state pension system. If I were, I would be contacting my union and legislative representatives.

The state pension system was set up to provide for the retirement of state pensioners, period. Be very afraid when the sponsor of a bill -- Rep. Ryan Winkler, DFL-Golden Valley -- calls for the State Board of Investment to try to ensure "at least" 1 percent of the fund's value to fund private-equity Minnesota investment companies. In legislator speak, "at least" means "more than."

The board's executive director advises against letting the Legislature risk pensioners' money to fund venture companies. The pension fund should be controlled by fund managers who specialize in making money, not those in the Legislature who specialize in spending money.

JAMES M. BECKER, LAKEVILLE

Colonoscopy, which is a procedure that evaluates the entire colon, is considered the gold standard for screening. Stool guaiac tests do not screen for cancer effectively because of the large percentage of negative tests, even when a cancer exists. A flexible sigmoidoscopy only examines one-third of the colon, thus missing a large percentage of polyps (precancerous growths), and cancers as well.

In general, men and women should have their first colonoscopy at age 50. However, those who have an immediate family member with colon cancer, or another predisposing genetic condition, should start at age 40. African-Americans should have their first colonoscopy at age 45, due to their higher risk for colon cancer. Those who have polyps removed during their first colonoscopy often need to return for a follow-up colonoscopy sooner than 10 years.

DR. PHILIP LOWRY, MINNEAPOLIS

Who among us could endure, or even survive, donning a well-worn winter jacket and whatever winter gear that can be found, and heading outdoors tonight to sleep in the far below zero windchill?

Imagine yourself crouched inside a large carton, perhaps, or walking all night to keep from freezing, looking around at all the buildings and homes where other people are warm and safe. Hundreds of fellow Minnesotans will be spending this and other nights outside, involuntarily.