Magistrate Chung Seeks Education Funds; President Lai Points to Unpassed Budget
At the groundbreaking ceremony for Baishatun Mazu Hospital on May 19, Miaoli County Magistrate Chung Tung-chin requested NT$3 billion in education funding from President Lai Ching-te to address school overcrowding caused by population growth from new tech industries. President Lai responded by noting that the central government's budget has not yet passed the legislature and urged Chung to help push for its approval. He also mentioned that Miaoli's funding from the central government would already increase by NT$2.8 billion this year. Chung later expressed his "discomfort" with the response, stating that budget negotiations are the responsibility of the Executive Yuan, not local leaders.
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- 📰 Published: May 19, 2026 at 16:46
- 🔍 Collected: May 19, 2026 at 17:01 (15 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 19, 2026 at 22:13 (5h 11m after Collected)
While attending the groundbreaking ceremony for the Baishatun Mazu Hospital in Miaoli County today, President Lai Ching-te addressed County Magistrate Chung Tung-chin's plea for central government assistance with education funding, stating that the central government's general budget has not yet passed. "You should use your power as a magistrate to speak up on behalf of the locality," Lai said.
The Tungs' Taichung MetroHarbor Hospital Medical-Educational Foundation is establishing the "Baishatun Mazu Hospital" near the Gongtian Temple in Tongxiao, Miaoli. The groundbreaking ceremony today was attended by President Lai, Magistrate Chung, and Legislator Chen Chao-ming, among others.
In his speech, Chung Tung-chin stated that while Miaoli's issue of insufficient medical resources is expected to gradually improve, "education" is another area in urgent need of central assistance.
He expressed gratitude for the central government's help in bringing global memory giant Micron to Tongluo, Miaoli. The influx of tech factories has attracted many young people to move in, causing a population boom in the Zhunan and Toufen areas in recent years. This has led to crowded classrooms and activity spaces in many junior high and elementary schools. However, Miaoli County's finances remain under central control, and he said, "I must once again ask the central government for assistance."
Chung said that on the third day of the Lunar New Year, when the President visited Yongzhen Temple, he had personally reported on the need to secure education funds for new school buildings. A subsequent official document received a first reply of "no subsidy" due to the Fiscal Equalization Act. A second reply stated the matter would be "deliberated." He expressed his hope that the central government would shorten the deliberation time and fully support Miaoli's education.
In response, President Lai stated in his speech that the central government's funding for Miaoli County this year will be NT$2.8 billion more than last year. "You can use this extra 2.8 billion for allocation," he suggested.
Furthermore, the President said the central government's general budget has not yet passed. "I haven't seen you speak out and ask the Legislative Yuan to pass the central government's general budget," he remarked. Learning that the Miaoli County Government's budget had already passed last November, the President told Chung, "If the county council hadn't passed the county budget by now, I imagine you'd have a headache too. So you need to use your power as a magistrate and speak up for your locality."
The President pointed out that if the budget for the Tungs' Hospital board had not passed, they would not be able to build a hospital in Baishatun today, which is very clear. He also called on Legislator Chen Chao-ming in the audience to "exert some influence," noting that if the central government's budget passes, Miaoli County would receive NT$2.8 billion more from the central government this year than last, which could be used for various purposes.
Regarding the President's response, Chung Tung-chin candidly told the media in the afternoon that he felt "a little uncomfortable." He pointed out that the President is a doctor, and if he is to prescribe a remedy, it must be the right one. Education should be a collaborative effort between the central and local governments. If the Legislative Yuan doesn't pass the budget, "it should be the Executive Yuan that communicates with the Legislative Yuan. Whether or not county magistrates take a stance is not very meaningful."
Chung stated that just as if the Miaoli County Council didn't pass the county government's budget, it would naturally be his responsibility as magistrate, along with the deputy magistrate and secretary-general, to do their utmost to communicate with the speaker, the council, and councilors. "To blame the 18 township and town mayors for not helping would seem to miss the mark."
As for the actual funding needs, Chung said the more urgent need for school construction and renovation is about NT$3 billion. He hopes the central government can provide some resources, with the county government covering the rest. Moreover, Miaoli's fiscal capacity classification was adjusted from level 5 to level 4, which means its self-funding requirement is even higher. "Children's education cannot wait. We really need the central government's help. Regardless, I will continue to work hard and use all channels and connections to appeal to the President and the Executive Yuan," he said.
The Tungs' Taichung MetroHarbor Hospital Medical-Educational Foundation is establishing the "Baishatun Mazu Hospital" near the Gongtian Temple in Tongxiao, Miaoli. The groundbreaking ceremony today was attended by President Lai, Magistrate Chung, and Legislator Chen Chao-ming, among others.
In his speech, Chung Tung-chin stated that while Miaoli's issue of insufficient medical resources is expected to gradually improve, "education" is another area in urgent need of central assistance.
He expressed gratitude for the central government's help in bringing global memory giant Micron to Tongluo, Miaoli. The influx of tech factories has attracted many young people to move in, causing a population boom in the Zhunan and Toufen areas in recent years. This has led to crowded classrooms and activity spaces in many junior high and elementary schools. However, Miaoli County's finances remain under central control, and he said, "I must once again ask the central government for assistance."
Chung said that on the third day of the Lunar New Year, when the President visited Yongzhen Temple, he had personally reported on the need to secure education funds for new school buildings. A subsequent official document received a first reply of "no subsidy" due to the Fiscal Equalization Act. A second reply stated the matter would be "deliberated." He expressed his hope that the central government would shorten the deliberation time and fully support Miaoli's education.
In response, President Lai stated in his speech that the central government's funding for Miaoli County this year will be NT$2.8 billion more than last year. "You can use this extra 2.8 billion for allocation," he suggested.
Furthermore, the President said the central government's general budget has not yet passed. "I haven't seen you speak out and ask the Legislative Yuan to pass the central government's general budget," he remarked. Learning that the Miaoli County Government's budget had already passed last November, the President told Chung, "If the county council hadn't passed the county budget by now, I imagine you'd have a headache too. So you need to use your power as a magistrate and speak up for your locality."
The President pointed out that if the budget for the Tungs' Hospital board had not passed, they would not be able to build a hospital in Baishatun today, which is very clear. He also called on Legislator Chen Chao-ming in the audience to "exert some influence," noting that if the central government's budget passes, Miaoli County would receive NT$2.8 billion more from the central government this year than last, which could be used for various purposes.
Regarding the President's response, Chung Tung-chin candidly told the media in the afternoon that he felt "a little uncomfortable." He pointed out that the President is a doctor, and if he is to prescribe a remedy, it must be the right one. Education should be a collaborative effort between the central and local governments. If the Legislative Yuan doesn't pass the budget, "it should be the Executive Yuan that communicates with the Legislative Yuan. Whether or not county magistrates take a stance is not very meaningful."
Chung stated that just as if the Miaoli County Council didn't pass the county government's budget, it would naturally be his responsibility as magistrate, along with the deputy magistrate and secretary-general, to do their utmost to communicate with the speaker, the council, and councilors. "To blame the 18 township and town mayors for not helping would seem to miss the mark."
As for the actual funding needs, Chung said the more urgent need for school construction and renovation is about NT$3 billion. He hopes the central government can provide some resources, with the county government covering the rest. Moreover, Miaoli's fiscal capacity classification was adjusted from level 5 to level 4, which means its self-funding requirement is even higher. "Children's education cannot wait. We really need the central government's help. Regardless, I will continue to work hard and use all channels and connections to appeal to the President and the Executive Yuan," he said.