TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) hosted a dinner Thursday (Sept. 26) evening for the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP, 民進黨) legislative committees to discuss strategies to address the blocked budget proposal.
Wu Szu-yao (吳思瑤), the DPP caucus whip, revealed that Cho also extended an invitation to Legislative Yuan Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) to meet and discuss moving the budget proposal into the review process.
Wu expressed optimism, stating that Cho has shown warmth and goodwill, adding that they believe Han will respond warmly as well.
"We are always ready, just waiting for Speaker Han," she said.
Cho has ordered all ministry heads to lobby committee members before next week’s procedural committee meeting, emphasizing the importance of budget review.
Wu revealed that Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo (顧立雄) and Minister of Agriculture Chen Junne-jih (陳駿季) attended the dinner after a meeting at the Presidential Office, showing the cabinet's unity.
Wu pointed out that the "Act Governing the Allocation of Government Revenues and Expenditures" (財劃法) involves broad aspects, and although the Ministry of Finance has consulted with counties and cities, consensus remains elusive.
She stressed the difficulty in achieving consensus and the need for further discussions among ministries, local governments, and legislators.
Cho highlighted the central government’s increased subsidies to local governments through tax revenue growth, reflecting this trend in actual figures. The administration aims to resolve the deadlock and move forward with the budget review process.