Peninsula Daily News news services
OLYMPIA — Gov. Jay Inslee said today he’s asking the Legislature to pass a wide-ranging package of transportation, education, permitting and tax relief measures to win Boeing’s commitment to Washington for assembly of its newest jetliner, the 777X.
One aspect of the package would increase the state’s 55.9-cents-a-gallon gasoline tax by 10 cents a gallon to fund a $10 billion transportation package.
Inslee called a special legislative session beginning Thursday to consider the package of improvements.
The governor said he expects the session to last a week.
The legislative package is half of a two-part deal with Boeing.
The other half is a new long-term labor deal between Boeing and the Machinists Union.
Inslee’s proposals, in addition to the transportation package, include:
■ Extension of commercial-airplane tax in-centives until 2040, first enacted to persuade Boeing to build the 787 in the state.
■ Millions of dollars in education and workforce development spending to boost enrollments in aerospace fields at community and technical colleges.
■ Streamlined permitting for large manufacturing sites.
■ New water quality goals — linked to the average fish-consumption rate — that industry can live with.
Separately on Tuesday, Chicago-based Boeing proposed an eight-year labor agreement that would guarantee construction of the new 777X in the Puget Sound area.
The Machinists union said in a statement Tuesday that union members will vote on the offer soon.
Inslee spokesman David Postman said that the entire package that lawmakers will consider will be contingent on two things: the union approving the agreement, and if that occurs, Boeing following through on its promise.
