EDMONTON – Highlights of the Alberta 2013-14 budget presented Thursday:
– No increases in overall day-to-day spending, but revenue shortfall means a $2-billion deficit.
– $4.3-billion in borrowing for roads, schools and hospitals.
– Total revenue of $38.6 billion.
– No new or increased taxes.
– Health spending to increase by three per cent to $17.1 billion.
– $2-billion in government operating grants to post-secondary institutions cut by almost seven per cent.
– Expected resource revenue of $7.3 billion, half of what was originally expected, due to lower prices for oilsands bitumen.
– New legislation to mandate that portion of non-renewable resource revenue be put into savings.
– No layoffs planned beyond previously announced 480 government management positions.
– No extra money for doctors, teachers, nurses or other government workers who are now in contract negotiations with the province.
– Population expected to grow by 99,000 this year.
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