Taiwan to distribute NT$10,000 cash as part of next year's budget

Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te has announced a plan to distribute NT$10,000 in cash to citizens next year, a move that will be incorporated into the upcoming central government budget. This decision comes amidst calls from opposition parties, including the Kuomintang and Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an, to increase the payout to NT$20,000.

However, according to constitutional provisions and judicial interpretations, the Legislative Yuan is restricted from proposing increased expenditures when reviewing the executive branch's budget. This legal framework suggests that opposition parties cannot arbitrarily increase the cash distribution amount through standard legislative procedures.

Government officials explained that including the NT$10,000 cash distribution in the main budget allows it to undergo legislative review according to the Budget Act. They emphasized that if the legislature adheres to its constitutional duties and reviews the budget within the legal timeframe, citizens can receive the economic benefits promptly. The government also addressed concerns about using special budgets, noting that such measures are reserved for extraordinary circumstances like major economic disruptions or disasters, and are typically employed when the annual budget has already been finalized.

The administration further clarified the legality of welfare measures not requiring specific laws or special statutes, citing past judicial interpretations. They pointed to existing programs like childcare subsidies and rent assistance, which operate under established administrative rules. The decision to include the cash distribution in the main budget is supported by Taiwan's projected economic growth rate, which has been revised upwards to 11.05% for the current year, the highest in 39 years, according to the Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics.