TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Kuomintang (KMT, 國民黨) opposition party caucus in Taipei City Council (台北市議會) proposed Wednesday (Oct. 15) that the city government distribute a second cash handout to citizens. The proposal grants the municipal government flexibility in determining payment amounts without specifying concrete figures.
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) met with the KMT caucus at noon to discuss the cash distribution proposal. Chiang highlighted fiscal management concerns following amendments to the Act Governing the Allocation of Government Revenues and Expenditures (財劃法). He noted that despite legislative amendments, the central government remains restrictive with funding.
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP, 民進黨) ruling party caucus previously proposed NT$21,000 (around US$686) cash payments to each Taipei resident. The KMT caucus initially opposed this proposal, labeling it irresponsible fiscal policy. Following internal deliberations, the KMT completed their alternative petition last week and submitted it for council review.
KMT caucus secretary-general Li Ming-hsien (李明賢) confirmed the proposal's submission to the council for committee review. Finance Director Hu Hsiao-lan (胡曉嵐) committed to assessing the cash distribution's feasibility while ensuring calculations align with fiscal discipline. ◼ (At time of reporting, US$1 equals approximately NT$30.628)
