Article content continued

NDP leader Ryan Meili said he believes the government is stealing his ideas. He said that’s fine by him. But he warned it’s not enough, saying the budget still leaves a “deficit” in classrooms and for other vital services.

He also said it fails to make life more affordable for Saskatchewan people.

“When you’re out across Saskatchewan, no one is looking and saying ‘the budget is balanced in my home,’” Meili said.

Photo by TROY FLEECE / Regina Leader-Post

Almost every major area of government will see at least some new funding, though many — like education — won’t get enough to keep up with inflation.

It all seems calculated to dispel the ill feelings left by two years of austerity, with page after page touting the government’s investments in “vulnerable families.”

But there will be little in the way of tax relief. Harpauer left untouched the expanded six-per-cent PST imposed in 2017-18 and kicked the can on income and corporate tax reductions promised at the time to ease the pain.

Harpauer told reporters she might revisit the PST if resource revenues rise, but didn’t commit to any changes.

In fact, some of the money she scrounged up to balance the books came from a tax hike of sorts — this time on potash producers, who will lose tax credits. That will count for the major part of a $117-million increase in forecasted potash revenues.