Jeff Thompson

“But who cares we’re never gonna pay the debt“… Fair enough, but you’re gonna pay the interest on it and if it’s doubled then soon it becomes the third biggest departmental expense in any federal or provincial government. Soon Bond rating agencies downgrade.

Debt to GDP is a very flawed rationale for borrowing. However, the political response is always. “what would you cut? “. Or “ This borrowing will grow the economy”. So far none of this has proven true, but in fact the opposite.

While I’m happy to see BCH doing something and a *promise* of units starting within a year, this announcement underscores what’s wrong in politics: The announcement in the plan. The plan is the announcement. That is the outcome. #nbpoli /end

Provided a featured dozens of shovel-ready projects across NB last year. Today’s announcement says priority given to shovel-ready projects that can begin construction within 12 months. If shovel ready, why not start next month? 1/2 #nbpoli gnb.ca/content/GNB3/e…

Where is the list of projects with start/end dates? What criteria has been used for site selection & prioritization? Who will build, own & operate? How many are gov-owned public housing? This is time to be open & transparent. Share the plan. Hold yourself accountable. #nbpoli

@SharonT20519250 It would be easier to accept *if* I could point to something, anything, that is significantly better with the $2-billion of new debt. We know how much of it went to doctors ($172m), but how much to pension top-up b/c they canceled pension change for one of few holdouts. #nbpoli

@thomjeff I have an idea Maybe ..just maybe they could hire ex Premier HIGGS to manage our money.

“There’s nothing that stops us from finding cuts mid-year,” Finance Minister René Legacy said this week. While true, a responsible plan would see those cuts early in the fiscal year to get as much of the savings booked as possible. But this is #nbpoli … cbc.ca/news/canada/ne…

If it were a department, it would be the 5th largest in spending after health, education, social development and whatever general government is for $1.3-billion <- saving in this lump for sure. #nbpoli

…today with no interest in making the tough decisions while accepting an 𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 $𝟭𝟮𝟬-𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝗮𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 to bankers this year. You read that right: additional, on top of what is already paid. Interest this year ~$850M #nbpoli

Pathway to Ownership, Part 2: What a Real Plan Could Look Like #Fredericton open.substack.com/pub/ward10toge…

Debt is forecast to quickly rise as NB borrows to fund deficits and a large capital plan. Net debt-to-GDP ratio is project to hit 36.0% by 2028–29 higher than forecast 28.5% Overall borrowing is $4.3B with $2.6B in new borrowing for operating and capital needs #nbpoli

Fredericton’s housing challenge is bigger than any one solution. We need more public housing & affordable rentals. We also need to talk seriously about something that gets less attention than it should: a pathway to ownership. 🔗 ward10together.ca/housing #fredericton

Same bucket as E.V. batteries — spending without any outcome. That’s what happens when the plan is not ground in reality. #cdnpoli

@ScottSmithNB Google maps is free, more at least no cost to municipal taxpayers.

@thomjeff Anything. A picture says a thousand words. A map says a million.

Today’s 4th Level of Government in NB: Maps. People are so excited to have…big maps of things we have in the capital region. Big maps. Folks, the CRSC have spent a year on mapping everything, including churches. Time for change. #Fredericton #nbpoli youtube.com/live/tNRK6OWZW…

@ScottSmithNB Of churches?

@thomjeff Good maps = good governance

I’ve never met a CFO starring down 4 years of massive losses, far above their budget say, “…we just in a position right now strategically that we don’t have to be rash. We can do it…take our time. Have a discussion. Do it accordingly with stakeholders.” NB Fin Minister #nbpoli

Unbelievable #nbpoli

October 3, 2024 #nbpoli

Political sci­ent­ist Mario Levesque “…said he’s heard that without cuts, the pro­jec­ted defi­cit for the 2026/2027 fiscal year could be “at least” $2.1 bil­lion.” #nbpoli

I can’t think of a public sector union contract having a 18% pay increase in the first year. That’s right, in one year, not over multiple. 18% bump in the first year + $270m over 4 years, this ‘deal’ must deliver real improvements in access to healthcare by March 2027. #nbpoli