I find it very interesting that in today's budget update, Mr. Hansen asked British Columbians to tell him how his party should spend the "extra cash" that BC apparently has.
This "extra cash" is as a result of an improving economy, resulting in a forecasted deficit for this year of $1.4 billion instead of $1.7 billion. Personally, I don't think owing $300 million less than forecasted really counts as having "extra cash" to spend. I know that if I all of a sudden owed the bank $140 grand instead of $170 grand, I wouldn't be looking to spend that $30 thousand dollar difference.
That isn't even the interesting part. What I find appalling is that the general public is now apparently being consulted on how to spend $300 million, but we weren't consulted on a $2 billion dollar decision last spring. Mr. Hansen and Mr. Campbell didn't even bring their HST decision to the legislature for their input, let alone the general public. Now all of a sudden they want the public's input on how to spend $300 million of debt?
If you really want to know how to spend that $300 million dollars, maybe add a second question (multiple choice of course) to next fall's referendum...you know, to really get your money's worth. How many more schools are going to close to pay for that $30 million dollar referendum?
Keith Hampe
Prince George
