Washington state extends US$9b tax breaks for Boeing

[WASHINGTON] The Washington state legislature has passed a measure to extend nearly US$9 billion in tax breaks for Boeing through 2040 in an embattled effort to entice the company to locate production of its newest jet, the 777X, in the Seattle area.

Lawmakers acknowledged, however, that their efforts would likely be undermined if the plane maker's key machinists union votes down a proposed labour contract due to go before the membership on Wednesday.

A contract locking in Boeing's labour costs, along with the tax incentives, is key to state officials' plan to keep the 777X production local. Boeing has said that barring a "yes" vote on the contract, it would be looking at other potential locations.