Thank you, Madam Chair. I am pleased to present the 2012-2013 Main Estimates for the Legislative Assembly.
The Legislative Assembly is seeking funding this year of $18.508 million. This constitutes a decrease of 5.3 percent from last year’s budget. The decrease is caused mostly by the sunsetting of election year and transition expenses and the paying down of the building mortgage for the Assembly.
I am pleased to report that the Assembly will make its last mortgage payment on the Assembly building this month.
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We will take full ownership of the building from the society next summer and are planning a celebration along with the 20th anniversary of the opening of the building in 1993.
Other notable items in this year’s budget include the transfer of responsibilities that are related to funding for the administration of Minister’s pay and benefits to the Assembly, the establishment of an in-house security force, an Electoral Boundaries Commission, and renovations to our committee room to allow the broadcast of committee meetings to all our residents throughout the territory.
As always, I want to thank the Board of Management of the Assembly for assisting me in administering the affairs of this institution and developing this year’s budget.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide opening comments, and I welcome any questions Members may have.