TSU outlines agenda for next legislative session

Despite its tiny size, the TSU legislative caucus has adopted a formidable agenda for the new session that is due to open on Tuesday. It has vowed to push for technology protection and referendum rules, among other controversial items that sit atop its priority list.

Both bills stand slim chance of being passed, as KMT and PFP lawmakers are bound to obstruct their advancement and the DPP has made preserving harmony its top goal in the run-up to next year's presidential polls.

In two previous sessions, the TSU caucus made 29 attempts to place the referendum bill on the legislative calendar, but to no avail.

The proposal would allow the people to have the final say, through a democratic process, on all policy issues -- including planned changes to the nation's status, symbols and constitution. Under the plan, only government budgets, taxes and salaries for public servants would not be voted on.

TSU Legislator Lo Chih-ming (羅志明) said he and 12 other colleagues will consider employing drastic measures in an attempt to promote their initiatives.

According to Lo, a separate referendum bill sponsored by DPP Legislator Trong Chai (蔡同榮) made its way to the interior committee early last year.

But at the request of President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), DPP legislators refused to take up the issue, which caused Chai's bill to die, Lo said. Chai's proposal would exclude all sensitive political issues from being voted on.

The TSU has expressed disappointment at its DPP allies recently over various issues such as the Cabinet's plans to allow domestic chipmakers to move across the Strait. It also frowns on the government's media reform plans, saying they would allow pro-unification media greater control of the market.

Chen has asked all DPP officials to dispose of their stakes in any media organizations in keeping with the party's effort to free the media from political influence.

Lo said he found the move poorly thought-out, as publications with Chinese capital have made inroads into the domestic market in recent years.

He singled out Next magazine and the incoming Apple Daily for criticism, saying they are devoted to scandalizing Taiwanese politicians and celebrities.