New Population Strategy: Opposition Lawmakers Criticize 'Central Government Promises, Local Government Pays'

(CNA) President Lai Ching-te announced a new population strategy with 18 measures, totaling NT$3800 billion annually. KMT lawmaker Lai Shyh-bao stated this has sparked controversy over "central government promises, local government pays." He noted that the central government announced large-scale welfare policies without explaining the funding source to local governments, which could face an annual burden of NT$80-150 billion. Lai argued that with the new fiscal allocation law not yet in effect, local governments are struggling and the central government should bear the full cost. Lawmaker Huang Chien-hao suggested that the best solution to the low birthrate is addressing housing, citing South Korea's success in using housing policy to encourage marriage and childbirth. Lawmaker Lee Yen-hsiu emphasized the need for performance indicators to allow the Legislative Yuan to effectively supervise the policy.