Taiwan’s current legislative session has been extended to Jan. 19 to allow for the review of competing bills sponsored by the Cabinet and opposition Kuomintang (KMT) regarding spending plans for a NT$380 billion tax surplus.

An agreement to extend the session for a second time was reached during cross-caucus negotiations presided over by Legislative Speaker You Si-kun (???).

Lawmakers had already reached a deal on Dec. 15 last year to postpone the end of this year’s session from Dec. 31 to Jan. 13.

On Thursday, the Cabinet approved a draft bill that proposed using last year’s tax surplus to fund cash handouts, public transport subsidies, and Taiwan’s National Health Insurance program.

A major difference between the two competing bills is the proposed cash handout amount, which is set at NT$6,000 per person under the Cabinet’s version, and NT$10,000 under the KMT’s.

Ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus whip Ker Chien-ming (???) said the caucuses agreed to review the bills before the general budget proposal.

The delay in reviewing the bills means that the public will not receive the cash handouts before the Lunar New Year holiday begins on Jan. 20.

Meanwhile, Premier Su Tesng-chang (???) on Friday called on the Legislative Yuan to finish reviewing the bill as soon as possible.

Su made the remarks while inspecting construction projects at the Cianjhen Fishing Port in Kaohsiung with Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai (???).

Asked to comment on media reports about an imminent Cabinet reshuffle, Su said that he had discussed the issue with President Tsai Ing-wen (???), who said that she would announce any changes after the current legislative session draws to a close.

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel