When the federal budget came out in March, Newfoundland Premier Danny Williams called it a "betrayal" of the province. It was a great example of a fine Conservative Premier turned panhandling socialist. He is now waging a personal War on Harper, much to the glee of the media.

If Newfoundland is strapped for cash, they've got an interesting way of showing it (h/t Bound By Gravity).

Premier Danny Williams, in a bid to build on his already commanding majority government, is offering Newfoundlanders the largest personal income tax cut in the province's history in the run-up to a provincial election.

Drawing from a $261-million budget surplus, Williams also slashed user fees Thursday while increasing spending on schools, the health-care system and infrastructure.

The value of the income tax cut was pegged at $155 million.

Danny Williams has some explaining to do. Why does he think that the rest of Canada should fund tax cuts to keep him in power? Here in Manitoba we live in one of the highest taxed provinces in the country, and this Newfie is pandering for more of our money. Shameless.

Labels: Conservative Party, Danny Williams, politics, Stephen Harper, Trough Feeders

I basically agree with Tom Brodbeck and Greg Weston in that this budget is a disaster. The Conservative budget has exploded program spending by $14 billion. Many people voted Conservative to get away from exactly this kind of fiscal irresponsibility.

Evidence of the Conservative's 180 degree turn is clear in the Status of Women department. In fall Stephen Harper took grief from all sides when the decision was made to cut $5 million in funding for the Status of Women. That $5 million has been re-instated, and just to make sure there are no hurt feelings, the new budget also includes an additional $20 million over the next two years for the Status of Women.

It's not just us libertarian small-government types that disapprove either. The provinces don't seem to be overly appreciative of the new equalization formula. Newfoundland's Premier Danny Williams claims that "What they've done today is basically and completely shafted us." Other people who are speaking unkindly about the budget are Saskatchewan Premier Lorne Calvert, BC Premier Gordon Campbell, and Calgary Mayor Dave Bronconnier.

But this may all be according to Harper's plan, as the Bloc Quebcois is the only party who will vote to pass this budget, and thus prop up the Harper government. This is essentially what what has the Premiers seething, since they view the budget as taking from the West and doling out to Quebec. Having it passed by the Bloc only suggests that the argument has merit.

Labels: Conservative Party, Danny Williams, politics, Stephen Harper