SPECIAL WARRANTS CONFIRM BUDGET ON TRACK

Released on March 2, 1998

The provincial government is on track to balance the budget for the

fourth consecutive year, Finance Minister Eric Cline said today.



Cline was responding to the public release of the government's 1997-98

special warrant funding which involves expenditures the government has

made since the last provincial budget was passed in the legislature.



The government has approved a total of approximately $113.9 million in

special warrant funding on an original 1997/98 provincial budget of

$5.05 billion.



"This year we made several significant investments in priority areas

after Budget," Cline said. "We provided an additional $48.6 million

for health, one of the top priorities of Saskatchewan people. The

budget for Highways was also up $10 million, allowing the Department

to advance some road construction and preservation projects due to a

longer construction season."



Forecasted under-expenditures in other areas of approximately

$11 million will help offset these unforeseen costs. Another

$15 million will be offset by fees and revenues recovered against

costs.



"I'm pleased that we are able to make these additional

investments and still stay on track to balance the budget for

1997/98," Cline said. "That is the next step in fulfilling the

four-year financial plan introduced two years ago. I look

forward to providing an update on this year's fiscal performance

with the upcoming provincial budget on or about March 19."



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For more information, contact:



Sandra Lodoen

Finance

Regina

Phone: (306) 787-6578