The Idaho Legislature has long supported Micron Technology with tax breaks, an engineering school at Boise State University and construction of the Isaac's Canyon interchange. But Micron's plans to cut employment by about 10 percent, with another 5 percent in the works, has eroded support among some lawmakers who complain that a company that's gotten everything it asks for isn't holding up its end of the bargain. "Even with the tax incentives, we didn't get the jobs," said Rep. Dell Raybould, R-Rexburg, a member of the House tax committee. "I'm very sympathetic to business, and Micron's very important, but we can't be putting all our chips on one industry that's going to have its ups and downs when its stability is based on world competition -- Dan Popkey/Idaho Statesman."
Question: Should Idaho treat big businesses like Micron and Potlatch with TLC?
D.F. Oliveria started Huckleberries Online on Feb. 16, 2004. Oliveria's Sunday print Huckleberries is a past winner of the national Herb Caen Memorial Column contest.
construction of the Isaac's Canyon interchange. But Micron's plans to cut employment by about 10 percent, with another 5 percent in the works, has eroded support among some lawmakers who complain that a company that's gotten everything it asks for isn't holding up its end of the bargain. "Even with the tax incentives, we didn't get the jobs," said Rep. Dell Raybould, R-Rexburg, a member of the House tax committee. "I'm very sympathetic to business, and Micron's very important, but we can't be putting all our chips on one industry that's going to have its ups and downs when its stability is based on world competition -- Dan Popkey/Idaho Statesman."
