NorthwestFebruary 5, 2014

Associated Press

Associated Press

SEATTLE - Boeing lobbyists are throwing a "thank you" party for Washington state lawmakers who helped provide the company with billions in tax breaks.

An invitation obtained by The Associated Press shows Boeing executives will host a reception for lawmakers this evening at a house across the street from the Capitol campus in Olympia.

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The invitation to lawmakers says the event will "thank you for your efforts to land the 777X in Washington state."

Last year, the Legislature approved an extension of Boeing tax breaks in a deal worth an estimated $8.7 billion. Lawmakers swiftly approved the idea in a special session, which put pressure on union workers to accept a contract that transitioned them away from pension plans.

Boeing has said the tax breaks and the worker concessions were enough to secure the 777X production for Washington state and the thousands of jobs that come with it.

The company had been exploring offers from other states.

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