The newly elected Conservative government of New Brunswick delivered its first budget on March 28, outlining plans to cut taxes by $33 million while slashing a whopping $100 million in spending. With the focus on tax cuts, the province's universities will see just a 2 per cent increase in funding in each of the next three years, not enough to keep pace with inflation and increases in enrollment. The Tory government plans to cancel at least 30 government programs, but Finance Minster Norman Betts provided no details on which programs will be eliminated or how many jobs will be lost. "The government keeps talking about managing smarter," said CUPE New Brunswick president Sue Barton. "But handing out tax cuts while public services are in need isn't smart management. It's political, economic and social stupidity."