Michael Baker This is Me

 View all 1619 references Web References

1. 1. www.mortgageoriginator.com

   www.mortgageoriginator.com/ME2 - [Cached]

   Published on: 8/25/2008   Last Visited: 8/25/2008

   By Mike Baker

2. 2. www.oilweek.com

   www.oilweek.com/news.asp?ID=18 - [Cached]

   Published on: 8/25/2008   Last Visited: 8/25/2008

   Finance Minister Michael Baker revealed Monday that higher revenues largely from petroleum royalties, combined with the federal Crown share adjustment payment, means the province will pull in $166 million more than projected in his spring budget.
   
   That includes an increase of $71.8 million in offshore gas royalties and a Crown share payment of $95.1 million.
   
   However, Baker cautioned volatility in world energy markets could ultimately affect the bottom line moving into the fall in terms of consumer tax revenues if energy prices rise and consumption wanes.
   
   He said forecasters are predicting a of $3.1 million in tax revenue as consumers adjust to higher fuel prices.He added that could also affect the amount put toward the province#180s $12.1-billion debt at the end of the year.
   
   "I#180ve talked with staff and we all agree that because of the cost of things, from diesel fuel to gasoline to home heating fuel, that we have more volatility built into this forecast than we have seen in many years," said Baker.
   ...
   Baker pledged that whatever pressures are being felt, the province would bring in its eighth consecutive balanced budget.He refused to speculate on whether cuts would be necessary to get there.
   
   "There#180s two factors that will make the difference in determining the surplus.One, of course, is energy price revenues ... and the second is the commitment of the government to make sure that our expenditures remain under control," he said.

3. 3. www.grahamsteele.ca

   www.grahamsteele.ca/media/06/n - [Cached]

   Last Visited: 7/26/2008

   Finance Minister Michael Baker has ordered government departments to cut spending to protect a "razor-thin" surplus with potentially bad fiscal news looming in January. Mr. Baker said Wednesday that he hopes departments can find $10 million to $20 million through deferring or eliminating,more
   
   Baker blames Ottawa for not fixing equalizationFinance Minister Michael Baker laid out a dwindling budget surplus and the need for belt-tightening in government departments Wednesday while criticizing the federal Conservatives for not yet fixing a,more
   ...
   Nova Scotia posted a $228-million surplus in 2005-06, nearly $165 million more than budgeted. But even so, Finance Minister Michael Baker attempted Friday to temper expectations for,more
   ...
   Nova Scotia's expected surplus for 2006-07 has grown to $75 million, prompting the NDP to call for an earlier start to the home heating rebate. Finance Minister Michael Baker said the surplus is,more
   ...
   A decision by police not to charge grocery chains with violating Nova Scotia's Sunday shopping regulations does not mean the law is unenforceable, says Finance Minister Michael Baker,more
   ...
   A regulated gasoline market makes it easier to cut fuel taxes in Nova Scotia, but Finance Minister Michael Baker said Thursday he won't take that step because the provincial government can't afford it,more
   ...
   Nova Scotia's minority Tory government is promising a tax cut in its spring budget - a document many believe will lay the ground for a mid-June election. Finance Minister Michael Baker pledged,more
   
   May 3, 2006
   
   Tories promise income tax breakThe Conservatives are once again promising a personal income tax break for Nova Scotians and saying this time they won't have to roll it back. Finance Minister Michael Baker announced Tuesday that the province will increase,more
   ...
   Nova Scotia Finance Minister Michael Baker boasted Monday of a $151-million surplus for this past fiscal year, and that's with a $92.1-million increase in program spending. He also hinted broadly yet again of a tax cut in the,more