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With measles spreading swiftly across Minnesota, state lawmakers shouldn't stand idly by or, worse, cut operational funding to the state Department of Health (MDH) while it's on the front lines of fighting this potentially deadly outbreak.

By Friday, Minnesota's measles case count had grown to 41 and the disease had spread beyond the initial cluster first reported in the state's Somali-American community. Cases have now been confirmed in Hennepin, Ramsey and Crow Wing counties, underscoring the need for resources to halt this outbreak and stop future ones.

Regrettably, state House Republicans voted down one thoughtful measure on Monday that would have provided $500,000 in grants over two years to fight some of the falsehoods about the measles vaccine that have caused many parents to leave their children unprotected.

Minnesotans should also be alarmed by legislative funding bills that do not reflect escalating demands for public health services. MDH recently sent out a missive stating that a Senate funding bill "cuts MDH operations and fails to include the operating adjustment and fee increases necessary to sustain existing programs." If enacted, the Senate bill "represents a reduction of approximately 70 positions agencywide." Among the consequences: less flexibility to respond to state-level emergencies and delays in lab testing for infectious diseases.

Gov. Mark Dayton, to his credit, included these operating adjustments in his budget outline. Dayton's bonding request included $2.3 million for vital public health laboratory equipment.

This is not a time to stint on public health. It's also past time to combat anti-vaccine activists' harmful message. Voting no on HF2630, championed by freshman DFL Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Somali-American, is a missed opportunity. The bill's speedy introduction led to misunderstandings about the need for grants and whether the Dayton administration — and by extension state health officials — supported them. An editorial writer checked this week. They do — unequivocally.

GOP leaders such as Rep. Matt Dean said during the debate that they are open to supporting efforts like Omar's in the conference committee process. Minnesotans should take them at their word and urge them to lend their backing.