Keep in mind this number: a base amount of $200 million. That (plus many millions more) measures three separate things – but together they say a lot about our perceptions and priorities.

AMOUNT TO BE RAISED BY 0.5 PERCENT INCREASE IN SALES TAX:

$250 million

.

It is estimated the tax increase would raise $250 million per year to fund the mayors’ plan to spend $7.5 billion on regional transit improvements over the next 10 years.

* * * * * *

AMOUNT TRANSLINK HAS SAVED SINCE 2012:

$240 million

.

That $240 million is a result of reduced costs and increased revenues to maintain current service levels and system investment. Some trade-offs impacted customers and staff, such as reallocating services and reducing recovery times.

Examples:

$90 million through cuts to administration and operating costs

more than $25 million in savings on goods and services

$45 million in revenue

* * * * * *

AMOUNT RICHEST 2 PERCENT OF BRITISH COLUMBIANS WILL RECEIVE IN A TAX DECREASE:

$230 million

.

During the budget briefing, Finance Minister De Jong confirmed there are no plans to bring in legislation to extend a tax rate increase from before the last election, delivering a tax reduction to the highest income-earners.

.

The first we vote on, the third is automatic, the second hardly anyone knows about, or dismisses.

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