Premier Cho Jung-tai: Nothing is More Urgent Than the Budget; Legislature Shouldn't Just Extend Sessions

(CNA, Taipei, Reporter Wang Hung-kuo, 9th) Premier Cho Jung-tai stated today regarding the extension of the legislative session that the budget review should be completed quickly and the session should not just be extended, because "nothing is more urgent than the budget." He said that completing the budget review as soon as possible is the best way for the parliament to be accountable to the people.

This afternoon, Premier Cho Jung-tai, accompanied by DPP's New Taipei City mayoral candidate Su Chiao-hui and Legislator Wu Ping-jui, visited the non-profit kindergarten for the children of employees at the Xinzhuang Joint Office Building.

When asked by the media about the continuous extension of the legislative session, Cho stated that parliamentary meetings are very important for protecting the country and its people. He emphasized, "nothing is more urgent than the budget." When everyone is worried about the upcoming heavy rains, how can the relevant reserve funds and disaster relief funds be used if the budget cannot be passed?

Cho said that besides hoping everyone stays safe, there are also many public welfare benefits, national economic and technological development, and defense-related industries that rely on the budget. He hopes that the parliament will quickly finish reviewing the budget during the extended session.

Cho stressed that the Legislative Yuan should not just extend the session while scheduling many inspection trips and many unrelated, non-urgent legal and budget bills. He argued they should quickly pass bills that are beneficial to the country and the people. Prioritizing their own preferred bills does not genuinely help in prospering the nation and benefiting the citizens. Therefore, he hopes the budget can be reviewed and passed as quickly as possible, as this is the best form of accountability from the parliament to the people. (Editor: Chang Ming-kun) 1150609