Readers write for April 22, 2010

So Arizona will now require all Latinos to carry papers to prove their citizenship at all times ("Arizona House OKs nation's toughest measure against illegal immigrants," April 14). Sounds a lot like South Africa under apartheid to me.

Many of us whose racial privilege would prevent us from suffering directly from this kind of law are devastated and angered to see such mistreatment of our neighbors. We want comprehensive immigration reform. We stand with immigrant families on the side of love.

MEG RILEY, MINNEAPOLIS

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Thank you, Arizona! The politicians and people in Minnesota are too cowardly to even discuss such proposals.

Keep up the good work and God bless America: home of, and for, Americans.

ROBERT L. KING, HOLLANDALE, Minn.

Our state leaders are engaged in the most challenging legislative session in recent history. The policy debate often moves between two poles: one that seeks smaller government and further reductions in taxes and spending on the state level, and one that seeks to recapture a larger role for state government by returning to previous levels of tax income and support for social programs and local governments. Partisan disagreements too often result in sound-bite posturing rather than thoughtful engagement with significant and complex issues.

Faith communities have a place in the public arena. There is a remarkable convergence of faith traditions around the fundamental value of caring for the neighbor. Though we might not be policy wonks or political strategists, and though we are not of one mind on specific solutions, we have a responsibility to be thoughtful citizens, holding our public leaders accountable for shaping public policy in a way that serves the neighbor, seeks a just society, and cares especially for the poor, the vulnerable and the marginalized. This is a very different bottom line than the dominant "What will work most to my advantage?" outcome presumed by so many citizens and politicians. Values clarify decisions.

We invite prayer and conversation around the shape of our life together in this state. I hope it's a conversation that goes on for some time, in many ways. I hope, too, that we can remain committed to being the kind of state that is committed to caring for all its citizens.

PETER ROGNESS, BISHOP, ST. PAUL AREA SYNOD, EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF AMERICA

The results of the latest national test on reading proficiency were recently released. Minnesota students continue to score in the upper tier in state-to-state comparisons. However, the scores are staying relatively the same over time, and there is a continuing large achievement gap among different groups of students.

There are two often-overlooked factors that have limited the improvement of reading scores:

•Minnesota schools have enrolled tens of thousands of immigrant children over the past two decades. These children are growing up and will be a tremendous benefit to our state. However, they come into our schools at all ages and often without knowledge of the English language. They must first learn the oral language and then become proficient at reading. This is a significant challenge for them and for our teachers.

•Funding for public schools has been relatively flat over much of this period of time. As costs go up, educators are laid off from jobs and the remaining educators shoulder a bigger load by teaching larger and larger classes. Large classes mean that each child gets a bit less attention. It does make a difference if an elementary teacher has 30 in a classroom instead of 20.

In light of the influx of immigrant children and the rising number of students in each classroom, it is a near miracle that Minnesota has seen reading scores remain constant.

We should thank our teachers, who are working hard to have students be successful learners in Minnesota's schools.

CHARLIE KYTE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MINNESOTA ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS

The Sierra Club and other environmental groups claim that a new Stillwater bridge would "irreparably harm" the St. Croix River Valley.

Their idea of reality is different from everyone else's. Right now the river valley is ruined from the endless cars waiting countless hours just so they can watch their precious "historic" lift bridge go up and down every half hour.

So having three bridge-supporting posts in the river will ruin the valley? The need for a new bridge is obvious.

JAMES KURK, NEW RICHMOND, WIS.

Regarding "Good cause, or just a good time?" (April 15): To clarify, all of the proceeds from our charity event, "Walk a Mile in Her Shoes," comes directly to Cornerstone Advocacy Services. While Verizon has underwritten the event, no Verizon product or any other product was sold. The event committee members were all volunteers, and all of the printing was donated. The Mall of America provided all of the setup and security, and the marketing efforts were donated pro bono.

SUSAN NEIS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CORNERSTONE ADVOCACY SERVICES

We know about recycling, changing light bulbs, adjusting the thermostat and reducing our driving mileage. But a recent study found that production of meat and dairy products may account for fully half of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions.

This year, let's celebrate Earth Day by replacing meat and dairy products in our diet with healthful, eco-friendly foods like fresh fruits and vegetables, legumes, whole grains and nuts.

MARK ZEA, MINNEAPOLIS