GOVERNMENT TRAVEL AND COMMUNICATIONS COSTS DROP AGAIN

Public Accounts documents released today show government's travel and communications costs have fallen to their lowest levels in years.

Ministerial travel costs for 2009-10 fell by 19 per cent from the previous year to $599,362, the lowest level since 2003-04, when the total travel bill was $569,240.

Communications costs across government fell by 12 per cent from the previous year to $10.7 million, the lowest amount spent since 2001-02, when the total was $9.7 million.

Overall government spending in 2009-10 fell by $256.4 million or 2.5 per cent from the previous year, while revenues were down by $2 billion, or 16.7 per cent, primarily due to decreases in non-renewable resource revenues and lower federal transfers.

Deputy Premier and Finance Minister Ken Krawetz said the government has focused on key priorities for people like health care, education and social services, while seeking reductions elsewhere, including areas like travel and communications.

"We understand that when money is tight, taxpayers expect us to show restraint at home," Krawetz said. "We've done that over the past year and I think these numbers reflect that."

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For more information, contact:

Randy Burton
Finance
Regina
Phone: 306-787-6578
Email: randy.burton@sk.gov.ca
Cell: 306-530-2049