Battlefords MLA Herb Cox expressed his pleasure with the provincial budget brought down March 20 in the legislature.
Cox told the News-Optimist the budget was "for balanced growth. We held our spending to 3.1 per cent, which I think is excellent. We are seeing a growth in revenue of 2.8 per cent. So I think that augers well for our province."
From a local perspective Cox was happy to see mention made of the Sask. Hospital replacement in the budget - particularly the additional infusion of funds into SaskBuilds to look into P3 opportunities for that and other projects.
"The announcement for the Sask. Hospital, I think, is exciting," said Cox.
"It's proceeding on. There's $6 million put into the SaskBuilds fund to explore the best route to go for P3 (public private partnership) for the Sask. Hospital. It's important and ongoing and the people of Battlefords are watching that."
Another thing Cox was pleased with was the announcement of municipal revenue sharing. He pointed particularly at the figures for the City of North Battleford.
"Since 2007-08 it's increased by 155 per cent," said Cox. "It's now sitting at almost $3 million dollars, it's going to be our revenue sharing for North Battleford."
He said it was a "pretty substantial amount of money."
Cox believes the cities and municipalities will be happy with the allocation settled on by the province. "I believe that they will. They're still getting the full one per cent of the PST amount."
Other highlights for the Sask. Party MLA is his perception the budget is balanced in several different ways, and "not just in the budget."
"We're looking after the youth, and we're looking after education. We're looking after health care," said Cox.
On health care, Cox noted 41.9 per cent of expenditures were going in that direction in 2013-14. He is interested in additional money going towards the Sask. Cancer Agency.
"Those kinds of things - that's why I'm saying it's balanced."
Cox also likes some of the other initiatives put forward in the budget, such as the announcement of a women's shelter for Melfort.
"For Melfort, this is something they've wanted for several years, and that's the only shelter of that kind that has been built since 1989. And that just isn't acceptable - we have to look after all aspects of our society."
Cox also welcomes the allocation of $847 million for capital infrastructure projects in 2013, including such things as highways and the power grid.
"Our power grid in this province was built in the '50s and '60s. A lot of that power grid needs to be replaced. So those are the kinds of things that need to be done." Cox also pointed to the $2.2 billion being committed to highways.
Cox also touted other government initiatives including increased funding for education and more affordable housing units.
