Although Micron does not have a plant in northern Idaho, their business and their employees pay a considerable percentage of taxes paid in Idaho. The accompanying businesses in the Treasure Valley that supply them do likewise. To the degree that northern Idaho receives money from the state general fund for state services (health care, food stamps, judicial system, higher ed, K-12 ed, you get the picture) and to the degree that those tax dollars we receive aren't generated here (although we do generate taxes we also consume others' taxes from the south), Micron's problems will impact not only northern Idaho but the entire state.

State Sen. Shawn Keough
Senate District 1/Sandpoint

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