Add flip-flop over Boeing tax break to Lovick’s political portfolio

In the political crevice between “Hail Mary” and “hell no” could be found the state House Finance Committee on Friday sitting in judgment of an attempt to rewrite a 25-year agreement between the state and its largest private employer, the Boeing Co.

That deal, chiseled into law in early November 2013, offers the aerospace giant the promise of $8.7 billion in tax savings in exchange for assembling the 777X in Everett.

The committee that day was considering the merits of a bill to modify the deal, tying the number of jobs Boeing provides to the amount of the tax savings it enjoys. Under the bill, if the jobs total dipped below prescribed levels, the size of Boeing’s tax break would shrink.

In a hearing void of much drama, Snohomish County Executive John Lovick provided a puzzling moment when he told lawmakers to pass the bill and hold Boeing accountable.

For Lovick, this was a flip-flop of jumbo proportion, because back in November 2013, it was unlikely you’d find anyone in the county as enthusiastic as Lovick about extending the tax breaks to land the 777X.

Lovick championed the cause of Boeing to House and Senate committees during a special session back then during which state lawmakers acted. He said the law would do great things for the county and state and he cited no concern with it.

Last week, though, Lovick told the House members it’s turned out to be a bad deal. This time he voiced the concern of workers frustrated and angry that Boeing has shipped hundreds of jobs not tied to the 777X out of state since securing the tax-break extension.

“I do not favor providing tax breaks and incentives to create jobs in other states,” he said, adding that the bill to revise the deal “provides the checks and balances we need to make sure our tax dollars and the promised jobs stay in Washington.”

It isn’t clear what changed Lovick’s mind and why he felt moved to testify. He eluded reporters after the hearing and had not returned phone calls as of Wednesday morning.

It’s a testament to his likability that this change of heart hasn’t stirred much reaction from the public. Yet with Lovick gearing up for a re-election campaign, there’s bound to be political fallout.

He might lose the endorsements of some prominent community leaders, including Democrats. Though Lovick has no opponent now, recent events might inspire someone to step forward — a development that Boeing and other aerospace firms operating in the county might be particularly interested to see.

Lovick’s support of the “clawback” bill isn’t the first evidence of his conflicted soul on aerospace matters.

On at least two occasions in late 2013, he publicly urged Machinists to approve a new concession-laden contract which Boeing insisted be ratified to seal the 777X deal. That really angered some leaders and many members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.

Lovick reportedly apologized to union leaders for what he’d done.

While this latest episode might help heal the rift between him and Machinists, there’s no guarantee he’ll secure the union’s endorsement in the campaign. It might, however, shore up Lovick’s credentials with non-aerospace labor groups put off by his action in 2013.

On balance, Lovick’s actions won’t be the issue on which the race for county executive will be determined. It does, however, offer voters another prism through which to view him this fall when the ballot arrives and they are standing on the edge between re-election and rejection.

Political reporter Jerry Cornfield’s blog, The Petri Dish, is at www.heraldnet.com. Contact him at 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com and on Twitter at @dospueblos.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Trader Joe’s customers walk in and out of the store on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Trader Joe’s opens this week at Everett Mall

It’s a short move from a longtime location, essentially across the street, where parking was often an adventure.

Ian Bramel-Allen enters a guilty plea to second-degree murder during a plea and sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Deep remorse’: Man gets 17 years for friend’s fatal stabbing in Edmonds

Ian Bramel-Allen, 44, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder for killing Bret Northcutt last year at a WinCo.

Firefighters respond to a small RV and a motorhome fire on Tuesday afternoon in Marysville. (Provided by Snohomish County Fire Distrct 22)
1 injured after RV fire, explosion near Marysville

The cause of the fire in the 11600 block of 81st Avenue NE had not been determined, fire officials said.

Ashton Dedmon appears in court during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett Navy sailor sentenced to 90 days for fatal hit and run

Ashton Dedmon crashed into Joshua Kollman and drove away. Dedmon, a petty officer on the USS Kidd, reported he had a panic attack.

A kindergarten student works on a computer at Emerson Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools

A new bill aims to support 10 new programs each year statewide. In Snohomish County, most follow a 90-10 model of Spanish and English.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Woman drives off cliff, dies on Tulalip Reservation

The woman fell 70 to 80 feet after driving off Priest Point Drive NW on Sunday afternoon.

Everett
Boy, 4, survives fall from Everett fourth-story apartment window

The child was being treated at Seattle Children’s. The city has a limited supply of window stops for low-income residents.

People head out to the water at low tide during an unseasonably warm day on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett shatters record high temperature by 11 degrees

On Saturday, it hit 73 degrees, breaking the previous record of 62 set in 2007.

Snohomish County Fire District #4 and Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue respond to a motor vehicle collision for a car and pole. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, near Triangle Bait & Tackle in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)
Police: Troopers tried to stop driver before deadly crash in Snohomish

The man, 31, was driving at “a high rate of speed” when he crashed into a traffic light pole and died, investigators said.

Alan Dean, who is accused of the 1993 strangulation murder of 15-year-old Bothell girl Melissa Lee, appears in court during opening statements of his trial on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
31 years later, trial opens in Bothell teen’s brutal killing

In April 1993, Melissa Lee’s body was found below Edgewater Creek Bridge. It would take 27 years to arrest Alan Dean in her death.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Man dies after crashing into pole in Snohomish

Just before 1 a.m., the driver crashed into a traffic light pole at the intersection of 2nd Street and Maple Avenue.

Bodies of two men recovered after falling into Eagle Falls near Index

Two men fell into the falls and did not resurface Saturday, authorities said. After a recovery effort, two bodies were found.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.