Yellowknife (Feb 17/03) - For many reporters, MLA David Krutko's dissenting vote was too late.

Krutko went against an approval vote that is generally a formality, saying "nay" to giving the budget's first reading in the house on Thursday.

The unexpected vote left the premier's office scrambling to tell reporters they couldn't quote from the government's big budget book containing detailed information. It had been released to the press under embargo until the finance minister began his budget speech.

Instead they were told to wait until the budget bill was given first reading Friday afternoon, though some media outlets ignored the request.

"As a member I have the fundamental right to yay or nay," Krutko said on Friday. "When you're dealing with a fundamental issue as a budget we should take our time and do it right and not rush things through the house. I'd like to see us take a cautious approach."

Finance Minister Joe Handley said he had no idea why Krutko made that move.

"When I asked him why he did it, he said 'There's always a first time for some things,' whatever that means."

Krutko said he felt the budget needed to be reviewed overnight on Thursday.

"We should take time and see how government spends it's money," said Krutko. "I like to take the cautious approach rather than react to whatever the government throws at us.".