Opposition fast-tracks NT$71.8bn in spendingBy Liu Wan-lin and Fion Khan / Staff reporter, with staff writer and CNAOpposition lawmakers today fast-tracked a motion to the second reading that would authorize the disbursement of NT$71.8 billion (US$2.2 billion) for 38 projects under the central government budget. Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party lawmakers hold placards promoting the budgeting of military pay raises at the Legislative Yuan in Taipei today. For the TPass program, the subsidies include NT$1.58 billion for the TPass Executive Yuan implementation program, and NT$5.94 billion for local governments to implement TPass from this year to 2029. The opposition hopes the legislature would first approve funding for these projects, TPP caucus deputy whip Chang Chi-kai (張啓楷) said. It is regrettable that the matter was not handled by the Executive Yuan, as it could have sought legislative approval to release funds for these initiatives, he said.
