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Lawmakers nix bill linking tax breaks to Boeing jobs

Ground crew members escort a Boeing 737 MAX as it returns from a flight test at Boeing Field in Seattle, Washington January 29, 2016. REUTERS/Jason Redmond

By Alwyn Scott

SEATTLE (Reuters) - Washington state lawmakers voted down a bill on Friday that would have linked billions of dollars in state tax breaks to Boeing Co <BA.N> employment levels.

The 7-8 vote in the House Finance committee means the measure will not advance to a floor vote.

The credits, which the state estimated to be worth nearly $9 billion over 16 years, are expected to generate an estimated $21 billion in state tax revenue from increased economic activity.

Boeing said it was pleased with the decision, calling it "a crucial victory for Washington's aerospace workers and economy."

"This revenue will allow Washington to invest in critical needs like education, infrastructure and human services," Boeing said in a statement following the vote.

(Reporting by Alwyn Scott; editing by Leslie Adler, G Crosse)