Readers write: Monday, March 28

Local government aid (LGA) is a program designed to help equalize tax bases and help cities across the state provide programs and services at affordable tax rates.

It is a program that has helped make the quality of life in our state what it is.

With that premise in mind, it is disturbing to see proposals that shift LGA distributions from a formula based on each city's need vs. their ability to pay, to arbitrary decisions about which cities will receive aid and which won't.

As a result, our major cities of Minneapolis, St. Paul and Duluth would be phased out of the LGA program.

Many services that cities provide -- such as police, fire, street repair, libraries, parks and community centers -- are not revenue generators. However, these services are all vitally important to cities, their residents and their businesses.

Since these programs and services have limited ability to raise their own revenues, they are heavily supported by local taxpayers.

LGA helps equalize those costs so all cities can provide the programs and services that add so much to the livability of their communities. In addition, LGA helps cities address their own unique needs.

Minneapolis, St. Paul and Duluth have the added burden of providing these same services not only for their own residents and businesses, but to large numbers of visitors who come to use and enjoy their parks, recreation facilities, museums, libraries, theaters, medical facilities, colleges and universities, government offices, sports venues, retail offerings, and employment opportunities.

Plus, the size of the cities and their diversity present unique needs that require additional resources. As such, LGA is just as important to them as it is to other cities across the state.

The Legislature and the governor have tough decisions to make as they work to balance the state budget. However, Minnesota is better because of what our major cities provide.

To exclude them from the LGA program because of arbitrary decisions is unfair, shortsighted and just plain wrong. We are one state, and we are in this together.

Let's make decisions that recognize that important fact and support each other the best we can. Our state will be stronger because of it.

MAYOR STEVE COOK, HUTCHINSON, MINN.

* * *

A new chapter to "Profiles in Courage" has just been added to America's freedom story. The courageous, calm leadership of Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is a rarity in our time.

Viewing the protesters, prodigal politicians and professional agitators with their clenched-fist placards, shipped to Madison from over the world, one concludes that we are a nation of lawlessness-prone victims of our own self-interests.

Walker's stalwart stance for fiscal sanity and the soul of America is needed now more than ever. A grateful nation will honor the analytical voters of Wisconsin for bringing forth again in 2012 a newly restored nation, with a Walker and Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., administration.

E.C. DEHMER, ST. PAUL

• • •

Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty is beginning his inquiry into a presidential bid. I am experiencing living in Wisconsin with Gov. Walker, who will strip much from the state budget that gives people with special needs any quality of life, such as decent housing, work and safety.

Walker learned that from Pawlenty. Now Pawlenty believes the rest of the United States wants the same type of human care he exhibited in Minnesota.

Did it matter to Pawlenty that he would visit a sheltered workshop for persons with special needs and then return to St. Paul and cut funding? He is one of those politicians who says one thing and does another.

If citizens believe we are in trouble now, just wait for Pawlenty.

VIRGINIA LOCHNER, PRAIRIE DU CHIEN, WIS.

• • •

I wish Chuck Chalberg had dropped the other shoe and told us just what sacrifices public employees should make ("Why public unions are a fair target," March 24).

These forces of "reactionary liberalism" (author's words) could pony up their pensions (around $13,000 a year for most), or reduce their wages (about what average Minnesotans earn), or scuttle their unions (à la Wisconsin).

Public employees and their unions find themselves reacting, but that's hardly reactionary.

TOM BEER, MINNEAPOLIS

* * *

In contrast to a March 23 letter, the current measles outbreak is a very serious health issue for our community. Measles is a very bad viral infection.

It is highly contagious and can even infect people who have been immunized in the past, including many adults. As of March 24, there are 11 reported cases of measles, with the oldest person being 35 years old.

Five of the victims have been hospitalized. That is 45 percent of the infected people ending up in the hospital. Imagine the panic people would be feeling if this were H1N1 influenza resurfacing.

The worst types of measles infections include a severe form of pneumonia and encephalitis, or infection of the brain. The very common symptoms of measles include high fever, bad congestion, eye inflammation and a body-wide rash.

There is no medication that fights the measles virus once a person becomes infected, nothing like Tamiflu that will treat influenza. The only treatment available is supportive care until the person can get better on his or her own.

A certain small percentage of people infected with measles will die, in spite of our best efforts, even with the best of hospital care.

The only other option is to get immunized before becoming infected. This especially applies to your children.

There is much false and misleading information out there on the harm that vaccines can do. On the other hand, there is real harm in what measles can do.

Just ask any of the five people who have been hospitalized.

PETER DEHNEL, MEDICAL DIRECTOR, CHILDREN'S PHYSICIAN NETWORK, MINNEAPOLIS