B.C.'s provincial budget passed a crucial second vote in the legislature this afternoon, with 45 MLAs in support -- including independents Vicki Huntington of Delta South and John Slater of Boundary-Similkameen -- and 38 MLAs against.

A loss may have resulted in an early election.

Reaction on Twitter was quick, with various parties and pundits weighing in on the hashtag #bcpoli.

Legislature reporter for the Victoria Times Colonist Rob Shaw:

Independent MLA Vicki Huntington says budget was "meaningless" but voted w/ gov't b/c she supports principle of a balanced budget. #bcpoli

— Rob Shaw (@tc_shaw) March 5, 2013

BC Liberal campaign director Mike McDonald:

BC's balanced budget with a balanced approach passes comfortably in Legislature.NDP refuse to present alternative plan.#bcpoli

— Mike McDonald (@MikeBCL) March 5, 2013

CBC legislative reporter Stephen Smart:

BC Dep Premier Rich Coleman says a political "I told you so" to those who thought BC Libs would lose budget vote. #cbc #bcpoli

— Stephen Smart (@CBCSmart) March 5, 2013

CKNW reporter Sean Leslie:

Deputy Premier @colemancountry says not surprised gov wins vote, hopes it changes narrative that @bcliberals not united.#bcpoli

— Sean Leslie (@seanleslie980) March 5, 2013

Independent MLA Bob Simpson:

Loud applause fm #bcliberals as fake budget passes 2nd readng. How do good pple get turned into such lemmings? The cliff is coming #bcpoli

— Bob Simpson (@BobSimpsonMLA) March 5, 2013

A report on the BC Conservatives' budget framework will be posted on The Tyee Election Hook later today.

Robyn Smith reports for The Tyee.