The British Columbia government's own press release on today's provincial budget had the headline, “Budget 2009 builds stability, confidence for the future.”

Numerous interest groups attend each year's budget lock-up, ready to sift through the details and offer their own opinion to reporters. Many of them come armed with computers and printers, ready to put those opinions in black and white.

Following are a selection of headlines from various of those press releases:

A budget to weather the storm: Certified Management Accountants

Public services under pressure in provincial budget, says BCGEU

Economic downturn offers no relief to residential electricity ratepayers. Provincial budget forcasts [sic] additional rate increases, says BC Citizens for Public Power

Budget 2009 represents a prudent approach to uncertain economic times: B.C. Chamber of Commerce

BC Liberal budget fails to invest in children: B.C. Teacher's Federation

Budget supports competitiveness and clean technology: Greater Victoria Development Agency

Budget ’09 fails to recognize recession realities: CUPE

Budget ignores true depth of economic crisis and hardship: BCFED

Core of climate plan intact but environmental groups say budget lacks green stimulus

Carbon Tax survives—but rest of BC budget bad news for environment says Wilderness Committee

Election budget 2009 leaves health authorities hanging until 2011: BC Health Coalition

BC budget fails to address post-secondary education concerns: Student Society of UBC

Budget misses opportunity for bear watching and other ecotourism: Humane Society International

Andrew MacLeod is The Tyee’s Legislative Bureau Chief in Victoria. Reach him here.