Premier Cho Urges Legislators to Calmly Pass Central Government Budget

By reporter Hsiao Po-yang, Nantou County, June 13 (Central News Agency) — Premier Cho Jung-tai today urged political parties across the aisle to calmly pass the annual budget proposal, warning that if the current year's budget is delayed, the Legislative Yuan may have to simultaneously review two fiscal years' budgets, creating significant pressure on legislators.

Cho inspected the progress of flood control works on the Wailuo Drainage in Nantou County. Nantou Deputy County Magistrate Wang Jui-te, DPP legislator Lo Mei-ling, and KMT legislator Yu Hao attended the event. Wang, in his remarks, thanked Premier Cho for his attention to the Wailuo Drainage project but expressed concern over the increased local financial burden. He noted that in 2024, when the project was approved with a budget of NT$1.23 billion, the local share was over NT$200 million. Now, with an additional NT$110 million required, the central government has changed the terms after approval, and he urged the central government to maintain the original cost-sharing ratio.

Recalling the legislative review of the Forward-Looking Infrastructure Program, Cho said the scene was chaotic and marked by strong opposition, with flour being thrown around. However, after the budget passed, local governments began demanding greater investment in forward-looking infrastructure.

Regarding Wang’s claim that Nantou’s burden increased from over NT$200 million to over NT$300 million, Cho acknowledged it “appears to be an increased burden,” but pointed out that Nantou County’s allocation from the central government’s general revenue sharing fund has significantly increased this year.

Cho stated that the total general revenue sharing fund this year is NT$884.1 billion, a substantial increase of NT$416.5 billion from last year’s NT$467.6 billion. Nantou County’s share alone has increased by NT$15.7 billion compared to the previous year. He emphasized that since the central government is allocating more funds to local governments, they must use them appropriately, questioning why Nantou “cannot even spend 1 to 2 billion” effectively.

With the recent plum rain front bringing heavy rainfall nationwide, Cho expressed concern that delayed budget approval could hinder disaster response. Because the central government’s budget has not yet been approved, a combined NT$17 billion in first reserve funds, second reserve funds, and disaster preparedness funds cannot be normally disbursed. These funds are meant for emergencies, and he urged parties not to repeat the difficult passage of the forward-looking budget, which was welcomed only after approval. He called for calm and constructive deliberation.

Cho expressed hope for a rational adjustment of the general revenue sharing mechanism. If the Fiscal Revenue and Expenditure Allocation Act is revised according to the Executive Yuan’s version, Wang’s concerns would be resolved. He noted that the current system creates inequities among counties and cities, and while “there’s nothing we can do under the current system,” he urged the Legislative Yuan to review the Executive Yuan’s proposed revision and the current year’s central government budget.

After the inspection, Wang told reporters that due to the central government withholding project-based and general subsidies, Nantou’s actual increase in funds is only about NT$2.2 billion. Yu Hao stated that after the revision of the Fiscal Revenue and Expenditure Allocation Act, the central government deducted many local subsidies, forcing the county to increase spending by over NT$100 million for the Wailuo Drainage project, only to face criticism afterward. (Edited by Lung Po-an) 1150613