TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Cabinet rejected government spending bills and amendments to the finance law on Thursday, sending them back to lawmakers for further review.
Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) said at a press conference that some provisions in the bills, sent by the legislature to the Cabinet last week for approval, were problematic. He said President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) approved the decision to send the bills back to the legislature for further review, which was made after consultations with experts, per CNA.
The budget outlines roughly NT$207.5 billion (US$6.34 billion) less spending than the Cabinet originally planned, which ministries and government departments have said will impact operations. The finance bill amendments change the local-central government funding split to allocate local governments more.
Cho said the Cabinet returned the bills due to inadequate discussion and improper legislative process. It also believes they threaten the separation of powers, democracy, basic rights, and national finances.
Cho said the Cabinet did not decide to reject the bills lightly. He said if the Cabinet accepted the bills there would be disorder among government branches, making governance difficult.
Cho said he is willing to meet with the heads of Taiwan’s six special municipalities to discuss the finance law. He said discussions with the mayors would focus on “reasonable, feasible, and viable long-term” central-local government revenue allocations.
The Cabinet’s right to reject bills after they have completed the legislature’s part of the lawmaking process is constitutionally guaranteed, though the president must approve the decision. If a legislative majority reapproves a rejected bill the Cabinet must accept the decision or resign.
Opposition KMT, TPP, and independent legislators passed the budget bills and finance law amendments in December and January. Opposition lawmakers hold 62 of the legislature's 113 seats, while the ruling DPP has 51.
