If you want budget, you’ve got it
It’s the edmontonian’s Alberta Budget Blowout 2010!
I told you we should focus on the Edmonton news in the daily headlines, and here’s why: There is SO MUCH stuff on the Alberta Budget that it would have taken all of our focus away from the local news.
Which is, I’m sure, what the Katz Group was hoping for. But I digress…
The provincial budget is a big deal though. It sets the stage for health care, education, crime and punishment, transportation, cities (see, there’s an Edmonton angle) and a whole lot more. So, take a spin through all of these stories to get a taste of what we know so far. As the Journal’s Archie McLean says; we are only scratching the surface of the budget in the first 24 hours.
You’ll notice stories out of Calgary and other points. If the same company has newsrooms of different names (like Canwest with the Journal and Herald) I’ll note that. If they don’t it’ll just say CBC or whatever. I’m also bouncing around to some websites and blogs to get some more opinion and thoughts.
First, a basic budget breakdown.
Now…here…we…go… (more…)
Alberta Budget
You can listen live to the Alberta Budget at this website.
Or follow the commentary and information on Twitter.
Go with #ableg or #abbudget for the latest details from the budget, the latest reaction and all kinds of zings.
Update: Read the budget documents, and more, here. Still check the Twitter hashtags though (you don’t even need to be on Twitter to search it).
No parties while we’re away
Every time you look at this photo, Edmonton's tax rate goes up $80. (Photo: George Watts)
You know, I was trying to think of a new or different angle on the Rexall Edmonton Indy when everyone was on about that money-loser last week.
Then, today we’ve got the City of Edmonton announcing its $500,000 bid for the 2017 Expo. That half-a-million dollars covers the next phase of the bid only. This puppy will come with a $2-billion dollar pricetag.
So I think I’ll tie the two together for a rant.
I’m really starting to feel like a parent who figures their child is responsible enough to be left home alone for the weekend.
I’ve left emergency contacts, money for groceries and have a neighbour ready to check in.
But then my kid, let’s call them “City of Edmonton,” goes and blows the wad of cash on pizza and a kegger. Pizza being the Indy and the kegger being Expo 2017. Since I support the kid I’m left paying to clean up the party mess. By party mess I mean my taxes will go up. (more…)
Opinion: Why is there no money for healthcare in Alberta?
By A. Sumaru, C.F. Crozier and L. Richards
“In the analysis of social and political issues it is sufficient to face the facts and to be willing to follow a rational line of argument. Only [sic] common sense, which is quite evenly distributed, is needed… if by that you understand the willingness to look at the facts with an open mind, to put simple assumptions to the test, and to pursue an argument to its conclusion.”
- Noam Chomsky (1978) Language and Responsibility
We are going to preface our comments with Chomsky’s remarks because everything being written about is based on information that is easily accessible to any citizen who pays attention and/or has access to the Internet.
With the government of Alberta delisting services to cut costs, in order to eliminate the deficit in the health care budget, our analysis of this problem will focus on a simple line of reasoning that asks; “Why is there no money for health care in Alberta?” (more…)
