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HOUSE DEMOCRATS

KIRO 7: Boeing backlash as company gets tax break, moves jobs out of state

By Graham Johnson

A new backlash surfaced Monday against Boeing after the state gave it the biggest tax break in U.S. history.

The unions representing Boeing engineers and machinists held a news conference criticizing Boeing for moving more than 3,000 jobs out of Washington since November 2013.

That’s when state lawmakers approved $8.7 billion in aerospace tax breaks so Boeing would assemble the 777X in Washington.

The company is keeping its commitment to build the new plane here, but has shifted other jobs not included in the agreement.

State Rep. June Robinson, D-Everett, proposes rolling back the tax breaks if Boeing reduces its total Washington workforce.

“If the jobs stay, Boeing maintains the tax breaks. It’s simple math and it’s fair,” Robinson said.

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