Legislator fu Kunqi Defends Tax Redistribution,Accuses DPP of Misinformation

Taipei,Taiwan – Legislator Fu kunqi has strongly refuted claims that the opposition democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is advocating for “cash finding on the public,” a term he used to criticize thier stance on tax redistribution. Fu pointed to past statements by prominent DPP figures, including President Lai Ching-te when he was Tainan mayor, and former DPP Chairpersons Tsai Ing-wen and Su Zhenchang. According to Fu, these leaders had all previously supported revising the “Financial Distribution Law” to enable local government autonomy and ensure sufficient financial resources for infrastructure and welfare projects.

“This is basic common sense,” Fu stated, emphasizing that the central government collecting taxes from the populace and then redistributing them is a practice that persisted even during the tenures of Presidents Tsai Ing-wen and Ma Ying-jeou. He clarified that the redistribution of over-collected taxes is essentially a repayment to the people. Fu further asserted that amending the “Finance Law” is intended to empower specific townships to complete crucial infrastructure construction.

He directly challenged the DPP, saying, “You should read some books when you are on the wing of the DPP. What is the ‘Finance Law’? What is over-collecting? Don’t use such a ridiculous way to show the level of the DPP.”

Responding to inquiries about worldwide cash handouts, Hsu Chen-wei, a local official, stressed that with the recent election concluded, the nation’s focus should shift to livelihood and economic issues, rather than speculative debates. Hsu acknowledged the suggestions from legislators but highlighted the differing roles of national legislators and local parliamentarians.

Regarding the “Financial Dispatch Law,” which passed its third reading, Hsu expressed hope for interaction between the central government and local governments to determine the utilization of the NT$16.1 billion. The county government,he indicated,will submit proposals for local infrastructure and social welfare projects to the parliament. Hsu concluded by stating that a responsible government requires careful planning and evaluation of both national and local finances.

What are the primary concerns of indigenous communities in Hualien County regarding the potential delay or abandonment of the “Public 50,000” parliament?

Hualien’s “Public 50,000” Parliament Faces Uncertain future: Legislators Seek solutions After Initial Rejection

The Controversy Surrounding Hualien’s unique Legislative body

Hualien County, Taiwan, is grappling with the fallout from the initial rejection of proposals related to it’s unique “Public 50,000” parliament – a system designed to give a voice to the county’s significant indigenous population. This legislative body, intended to represent the interests of residents in a region heavily populated by the amis, atayal, Bunun, Truku, Sakizaya, and Kavalan peoples, has hit a roadblock, prompting urgent discussions among local legislators. The core issue revolves around funding, scope of authority, and integration with the existing Hualien County Council.

Understanding the “Public 50,000” Concept

The “Public 50,000” refers to a proposed parliamentary structure aiming to represent the collective interests of approximately 50,000 indigenous residents within Hualien county. This initiative arose from growing calls for greater indigenous representation in local governance. Currently, Hualien County, with a total population nearing 98,500 (as of September 2024), is primarily governed by the Hualien County Council. Advocates argue that the existing council doesn’t adequately address the specific needs and concerns of the indigenous communities.

Key Objectives:

Enhanced Indigenous Representation: Providing a dedicated platform for indigenous voices.

Cultural Preservation: Supporting initiatives focused on preserving indigenous languages, traditions, and cultural heritage.

Economic Advancement: Promoting economic opportunities tailored to the needs of indigenous communities.

Land Rights Advocacy: Addressing historical and ongoing land rights issues.

Revised Funding Model: Exploring alternative funding sources, including central government grants and private sector partnerships, to reduce the financial burden on the county.

Joint Committees: Establishing joint committees comprised of members from both the Hualien County Council and the “Public 50,000” parliament to address specific issues of concern to indigenous communities.

Advisory Role: Transforming the “public 50,000” parliament into an advisory body that provides recommendations to the Hualien County Council. This approach would allow for indigenous input without creating a separate legislative body with independent authority.

Constitutional Review: Initiating a review of the legal framework to determine the feasibility of establishing a more formal and legally recognized parliamentary structure for indigenous representation.

openness and Consultation: Ensuring that all discussions and decisions are conducted in a transparent manner and with meaningful consultation with indigenous communities.

*Sustainable