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Boeing deal clears House committees, final vote set for Friday morning

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A deal crafted by Gov. Jay Nixon aimed at attracting a new Boeing Co., manufacturing operation to Missouri made its way through the House Economic Development committee today by a unanimous vote, clearing the way for final votes in the House tomorrow morning.

Lawmakers were called into a special session this week to consider a deal worth $150 million annually in tax credits if Boeing chooses to bring its new 777X commercial airliner production to the state. The bill moved yesterday through the Senate, where most said the deal was most likely to fall apart.

Rep. Anne Zerr
Rep. Anne Zerr

The House is expected to adopt and approve the senate version of the measure by a wide margin tomorrow, sending the deal to Nixon for his signature. Lawmakers have until the end of business on December 10 to submit their bid to Boeing, who are fielding offers from more than a dozen other states for the project after plans to build the airliner in Washington broke down over disputes between labor and management.

“I think these amendments should help tighten up this language and move this project forward in a responsible way,” committee chairwoman Rep. Anne Zerr, R-St. Charles, said during debate.

The bill passed unanimously with a single “present” vote from Rep. Clem Smith, D-St. Louis, who works for Boeing. The bill cleared the House Rules committee immediately following the vote by a 10-1 margin, and the House of Representatives is slated to take up the bill on the floor for final votes and debate on Friday at 9a.m.