Highlights of Saskatchewan’s 2019-2020 budget

REGINA – The Saskatchewan government introduced its 2019-2020 budget Wednesday. Here are a few of the highlights:

— Provincial sales tax stays at six per cent; no new taxes or increases.

— New $3,000 personal income tax credits for volunteer first responders that serve at least 200 hours beginning in 2020 tax year.

— Elimination of credits and deductions on the potash production tax.

— Creation of a provincial organ donor registry.

— $30 million in mental-health spending. Almost half to pay for nurses and doctors at a newly opened psychiatric facility.

— 140 treatment beds for mental health and addictions.

— $65 million over five years to improve intersection safety.

— $26 million more for school divisions.

— Funding for universities and colleges frozen at 2018-2019 levels at $469 million.

— Eligible amounts for an autism funding program increasing to $6,000 from $4,000.