FREDERICTON – New Brunswick Finance Minister Ernie Steeves has tabled a $9.8-billion budget for 2019-20 on Tuesday. Here are some highlights:

— A projected surplus of $23 million, while the current net debt of $14.1 billion is expected to decline by $49 million — the first drop in the debt in 13 years.

— The budget contains no new taxes or fee increases.

— The front licence plate on vehicles will be eliminated, as will the fee paid by volunteer firefighters for their licence plates.

— The government will spend more than $16 million to increase wages for home support workers.

— About $2.4 million will be spent in 2019-20 to recruit and retain more nurses.

— The province will ask the federal government to allow for a reduction in the scope of work to improve Route 11.

— The government will introduce legislation to reintroduce the New Brunswick Tuition Tax Credit, and will unveil a renewed bursary program for students attending universities and colleges in New Brunswick.