Legislature passes special budget bill

Capping weeks of partisan wrangling, the legislature yesterday approved the budget for flood control measures along the Keelung River but rejected an opposition proposal to include Taipei City in the funding.

The ruling camp welcomed the development, reiterating that the capital city will also benefit from the project when it's completed. But the opposition parties dismissed the contention, saying the DPP government would be to blame should the municipality suffer from floods in the future.

After a final round of cross-party negotiations yesterday, lawmakers of all stripes gave their unanimous consent to the NT$31.6 billion special budget intended to tame the flood-prone Keelung River.

But the caucuses disagreed on a KMT motion to attach a resolution requiring the Cabinet to channel NT$1.98 billion of its emergency fund to the municipal treasure. Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) has said the money is necessary to finance three projects related to the flood-prevention work.

The legislature called a ballot shortly before 1pm to settle the dispute. Cashing in on their moderate numerical edge, the ruling camp thwarted the opposition motion 103-98. One legislator abstained.

Despite the summer recess, more than 200 of the 225 lawmakers attended the three-day extraordinary session, thanks to top mobilization orders issued by the parties.

The issue had pitted the Taipei City government against the Cabinet, which insisted that the municipality is responsible for tributaries of the river under its administration.

Later the lawmaking body voted 196-0 to adopt a resolution jointly introduced by the DPP and TSU that suggests the Cabinet grant the capital city NT$350 million for treatment of Neikou Creek, if necessary.

Premier Yu Shyi-kun appeared at the legislature right after the vote to express his gratitude for the budget's passage.

"The budget is critical to flood-prevention measures along the Keelung River," Yu said. "I'm grateful it passed. Hopefully, communities near the waterway can soon be relieved from the threat of floodwaters for good."

Some 6.65 million residents live near the 86km river that flows across Keelung City, Taipei County and Taipei City.

Asked if the Cabinet can squeeze any money to aid Taipei City, the premier said he would have to consult his advisors before arriving at a conclusion.

Earlier, Yu said he would give the capital city NT$350 million from surplus funds, if there are any.

DPP legislative leader Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘) said he hoped the vote could put a stop to the row over the budget.

He denied charges that the DPP government was prejudiced against Taipei City because it is under KMT control.

"The city, located downstream, will emerge as the biggest beneficiary when work upstream is completed," he said. "Let's quit this war of words and join forces in tackling the flood problem."

But the opposition camp remained unconvinced.

Immediately after the vote, scores of lawmakers from the KMT and PFP staged a brief protest on the legislature floor. They repeatedly branded the Cabinet "unreasonable" and the ruling DPP "whimsical."

KMT legislative whip Lin Yi-shih (林益世) told a news conference later he regretted the outcome and that the Cabinet must bear full responsibility if any flood strikes the city.

"Mayor Ma has done all he can to seek to protect his constituents," he said.