Yesterday the Washington Legislature convened for the third special session since the adjournment of the 2013 regular session in April. Governor Inslee called lawmakers back to Olympia, with 48 hours notice, to move through legislation designed to retain Boeing in Washington.

The legislation would continue current tax incentives for the airplane manufacturer through 2040 at a cost to the state of approximately $8.7 billion in loss revenue and a second bill would make additional investments in the community and technical college system for aerospace related training and education.  The state would also agree to fast-tracking aircraft-factory permits and working to find a balanced plan for more stringent water quality standards under consideration by the Washington Department of Ecology.

In return Boeing has agreed to keep the manufacturer of the 777x in Washington from which the state hopes to gain jobs and additional economic benefit.

The announcement of another special session also gave new life to the potential consideration of a transportation package. The proposed transportation package in the regular session ultimately was a casualty as lawmakers sought to strike a deal in the second special session and adjourn a very long session.  However the chances of a transportation package moving this special session is increasingly unlikely as the Senate is expected to vote on the Boeing related legislation and then adjourn tomorrow without considering a transportation package.