With the support of the third-party Liberals, the governing Progressive Conservatives were able to pass their budget 31-20 on Thursday.

The NDP voted against the $8.4-billion budget.

Finance Minister Michael Baker made sure to praise the Liberals for their support.

"It is a very difficult thing sometimes to be against something. It is sometimes even harder to be for something. And Mr. Speaker, they showed the courage today to be for something," Baker said in the legislature.

Liberal Leader Stephen McNeil takes credit for the fact the government found money for a number of measures his party has been pushing for, including a tax credit for commuters and the return of a home fuel rebate.

The Liberal caucus is fighting for Nova Scotians, McNeil said, adding that his party's support for the budget is not an endorsement of the Tory government.

But NDP Leader Darrell Dexter insists his party is the one acting in the best interests of residents.

"They will be worse off, not better off, Mr. Speaker. And that is the fundamental reason why we vote against the Financial Measures Act and why we're voting against this budget," Dexter said.

A sticking point for the NDP has been the government's decision to eliminate an eight per cent tax break on electricity as part of its plan for a revamped Keep the Heat rebate program for low-income Nova Scotians.

The outcome of Thursday's budget vote was no surprise, as both the Liberals and the NDP had said how they would vote.

The Tories hold 22 seats in the legislature, while the New Democrats have 20 and the Liberals have nine. There is one Independent. As a minority government, the Tories needed the support of one of the opposition parties to pass the budget and stay in power.

Nova Scotia has had a minority government since the August 2003 election, when John Hamm's Tories lost their majority.

Thursday's vote marks the first time the NDP has not supported a budget since 2003.

With files from the Canadian Press

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