01:00 AM EDT on Friday, June 17, 2005

John Hazen White Jr.'s June 14 letter ("Nail in R.I.'s coffin") was right on the money. When are the legislators of this state going to think of the taxpayers, and not what is best for the legislators?

The state has standards for day care and issues licenses to operators; if those operators don't meet the standards, they don't get a license. They are independent operators, and if they don't like what the state offers, they should get out of the business.

If the legislators pass a bill allowing unionized child-care providers to negotiate with the state, then anyone who provides services to the state, such as snow removal, will want the same.

Just where is all the money going to come from? You guessed it: the taxpayers -- not the legislators or the unions.

If this bill passes, The Journal should post the names of the legislators who voted for it, so that the people will know whom to vote out in the next election.

DAVID ALLEN

North Scituate