Guest Post Written by "JM"
As a regular follower of provincial
politics[1]
and current affairs, I was generally aware that spending by the provincial
government had increased, since 2006, to levels well outpacing inflation. Yet it was not until the release of the 2015
Budget, and the province’s “5 Year Plan”[2]
for fiscal recovery, that I awakened to true state of the provinces
finances. The $1.3 billion projected
deficit in that year was enough to garner attention.
However, it was the government’s
prediction of a nearly $2 billion increase in revenue, during the period
2015-2020, as the main driver for a return to balanced budgets, that seemed
unlikely enough to be incredulous.
I remember reading the assumption for
revenue growth and realized, immediately, that it was just too optimistic. Considering the prevailing pessimistic
outlook for oil prices (even in early 2015), combined with lower economic
activity, higher unemployment due to the completion of our resource based
megaprojects, and the lower royalties from Hebron, too, my reaction was
thinking that the prediction amounted to nothing less than reckless
fiction. In the absence of a miracle, I
concluded, it would be virtually impossible for the province to return to a
balanced budget by 2020.
Within the 2015 Budget Highlights document, the government stated there would be nearly $5 billion of new
borrowing; the amount necessary to bridge the revenue shortfall to 2020. Based upon my own more reasonable assumption
of new revenue growth, and the near certainty that the budgeted sum for Muskrat
Falls ‘equity’ would increase, I also concluded in April 2015, that by the end
of the decade new borrowing in the $8-10 billion range would be necessary.
The full extent of the Province’s structural
deficit had become obvious. Without
decisive change, the Province would commence a period of borrowing to a level
unmatched in our history.
The Budget Highlights glossy brochure
was clearly written by a government preparing for an election. Exaggeration,
even hyperbole, while unwarranted at any time, is often found to underlie those
democratic expositions. But, it should be said the P.C. Government’s slogan
“Balancing Choices for a Promising Future” was derived from neither balance nor
promise. In fact, it can best be characterized as delusional.
Having come to that conclusion, I
began studying the budget documents delivered over the past 20 years. My initial goal was simply to understand how
we had regressed from the position of having a balanced budget in 1996, to the
current “Updated” one recording a deficit of nearly $2 billion; in essence, a financial
debacle.
Amulree had asked a similar questions
in 1929, and I wondered, too, in the current context: how Newfoundland and
Labrador, even in a period of relative economic prosperity, could have acquired
such a staggering borrowing requirement?
The research undertaken in April and
May, 2015 evolved into a series of posts, published on the Uncle Gnarley blog,
entitled “A Budget Colloquy”. I do not
suggest it is complete; however, I think it is a worthwhile endeavor; possibly,
one that serves as a tutorial in the experience of downside risk found in the “unwarranted
assumption”.
There were some startling statistics
that resulted from this work. I want to
cite just a few:
· In the period of 2006 to 2010 annual inflation adjusted
spending increased from $5 billion to $6.8 billion. The 35% increase in real spending, in 4
budget cycles, is the underlying cause of our current budget deficits.
· In inflation adjusted dollars, the amount spent by the
government on salaries has increased from $1.7 billion in 1997 to $3.8 billion
in 2013. In real dollars (after
inflation) the government spends twice as much on salaries now than they did in
1996.
· In 2013 nearly 50% of government expenditures was associated
with salaries.
· In the period of 2007 to 2014 (oil boom) capital works
spending was $2.3 billion above the historical norm of $300 million per year.
· In the period of 2007 to 2014 (oil boom) an amount of $8.5 billion
above the historical norm was spent on salaries.
· During the oil boom for every new $1 in infrastructure
spending there was $3 new dollars spent on the public service.
· Reductions in income tax and HST were clearly premature.
· In the period 2015-2016 the province’s combined annual income
from federal sources and offshore royalties will be less than the federal
sources, alone, in 1997, in real dollars.
We are in purgatory when it comes to federal transfer payments.
Against the backdrop of the recent
fiscal Update released by the newly elected Ball government, I thought it would
be beneficial to consolidate these posts, as they appeared, in a single
reference. The Colloquy contains plenty of historical data, analysis, and ideas
for financial reform.
I believe it is
important that the public fully understands how we got here and some of the
decisions required to reverse this sad and unfortunate circumstance. Indeed, as
I see it, the fiscal situation is dire enough that Newfoundland and Labrador may
be entering Stage 2-3 of a debt spiral3.
The general population seems to be
awakening to this fiscal crisis, although it is less than clear that the new
government understands the depth of the trouble the province is in, or if it is
willing to act in a timely manner.
My greatest hope, quite simply, is
that readers will conclude, as I have, that this debt and spending crisis is
real.
That realization, alone, might
inspire this truly vulnerable society to step back from what the financial
precipice on which we are resting.
Hopefully, readers will profit from
the opportunity to better understand the origins of the crisis, as I have, and assess
the measures proposed in the eight Posts of the Budget Colloquy. Such a
difficult issue will naturally attract different views and as many solutions.
That is perfectly natural. (The full Budget Colloquy will be published on the
Uncle Gnarley Blog, next week, under the title “A Decade of Squandered
Opportunity”.)
But there is one thing on which we
must find unanimity, and quickly: that is the need to act. We must individually
and collectively accept that cutbacks and belt tightening will be both
unavoidable and painful. In addition, we must be prepared to tell the new
Government of Dwight Ball we expect his Ministry to act courageously,
expeditiously, and wisely.
Ever the optimist, I hope that in
acknowledging the crisis and dealing with it, we will recognize its origins in
failed leadership. By acting firmly and decisively, I also hope there will
emerge from this sad and unnecessary experience, a stronger, wiser, more
enduring Newfoundland and Labrador society.
______________________________________________________________
1. I have been a regular reader of the Sir Robert Bond Papers Blog since 2007. Although our opinions sometimes differ (rarely) we have to duly recognize the contribution he has made in identifying the issues in real time. Particularly on the budget, Ed has been right since 2006.
2 http://www.budget.gov.nl.ca/budget2015/highlights/highlights_2015.pdf
3 Stages in Debt Spiral
1.
Debt Levels increase.
(This could be due to overspending, inefficient tax collection, bank bailouts
or economic slowdown)
2.
Markets become
concerned about debt levels leading to higher bond yields (higher rate of interest)
3. Higher cost of
servicing debt. Rising debt increases debt interest payments. But, also
Governments have to pay higher interest payments on debt because of rising bond
yields. This increases government spending even more.
4.
To reduce bond yields,
governments need to cut spending and increase tax.
5. Trying to reduce debt
can cause a recession. The Impact of spending cuts leads to lower aggregate
demand more unemployment and lower economic growth. Lower economic growth leads
to lower tax revenues.
6. The shrinking economy
means it is harder to meet debt repayments. Confidence falls. Bond yields
remain high despite the spending cuts.
7. With a shrinking tax
payments, the government struggles to meet interest payments. Also markets no
longer want to buy more government debt, leading to partial or total default.