The Legislative Yuan’s eight committees yesterday elected new conveners, with the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) taking 10 seats, the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) taking five, and an alliance between the People First Party (PFP) and the Non-Partisan Solidarity Union taking one.
The DPP and KMT caucuses each appointed a lawmaker to serve as convener on six of the committees.
DPP Legislator Chang Hung-lu (張宏陸) and KMT Legislator Lin Wei-chou (林為洲) were appointed to cochair the Internal Administration Committee, while the Economics Committee is to be cochaired by DPP Legislator Lai Jui-lung (賴瑞隆) and KMT Legislator Yosi Takun.
Photo: George Tsorng, Taipei Times
DPP Legislator Shih Yi-fang (施義芳) and KMT Legislator Lo Ming-tsai (羅明才) are to take turns presiding over the Finance Committee, while DPP Legislator Lee Kuen-tse (李昆澤) and KMT Legislator Chen Hsueh-shen (陳雪生) are to rotate the duty of chairing the Transportation Committee.
The Social Welfare and Environmental Hygiene Committee is to be cochaired by DPP Legislator Liu Chien-kuo (劉建國) and KMT Legislator Hsu Chih-jung (徐志榮), while the Education and Culture Committee is to be jointly presided over by DPP Legislator Frida Tsai (蔡培慧) and May Chin (高金素梅), representing the PFP-Non-Partisan Solidarity Union alliance.
Following a vote, the Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee, is to be cochaired by DPP legislators Tsai Shih-ying (蔡適應) and Wang Ting-yu (王定宇), while the Judiciary and Organic Laws and Statutes Committee is to be presided over by DPP legislators Tuan Yi-kang (段宜康) and Chou Chun-mi (周春米).
Chou Chun-mi said that the DPP caucus is to send the Executive Yuan’s draft Judicial Yuan Interpretation No. 748 enforcement act to cross-caucus negotiations, allowing it to bypass committee review.
It would be reviewed alongside other versions of the bill tendered by lawmakers, she said.
Other issues her committee would focus on during this session include bills concerning judicial reform and those regarding penalties for drunk driving and child abuse, she said.
Regarding calls to amend the Referendum Act (公民投票法) in the wake of the chaos in last year’s referendums, DPP Legislator Lee Chun-yi (李俊俋) said he and DPP Legislator Kuan Bi-ling (管碧玲) have been assigned to hold public hearings on the issue.
The DPP caucus would draw up draft amendments to the act and wait for the Cabinet to submit its version of draft amendments before integrating the two, he said.
Additional reporting by Su Fun-her
FUKUOKA SITUATION: Japanese media reported that the pathogen is expected to be identified by the summer, while the CDC downplayed the idea that it was hMPV A “mysterious cold-like illness” reported in Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture does not seem to be a new disease, but Japanese authorities have been asked about the situation, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. The Fukuoka Prefectural Medical Association on Wednesday told a news conference that a “mystery cold” that has become a hot topic on social media is “highly likely to be caused by some kind of viral infection,” Japan’s KBC News reported. “Many people are experiencing symptoms starting with a sore throat, followed by a runny nose, phlegm and a severe cough,” KBC News reported, citing association officials. Health authorities are
Nvidia Corp CEO Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) arrived in Taiwan yesterday ahead of upcoming AI and technology events, saying he plans to meet with clients and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家) during his visit. After landing at Taipei Songshan Airport, Huang posed for photos with fans and handed out Yakult drinks to reporters and supporters waiting at the scene, saying he has “a lot to do” during the trip. Asked about reports that Nvidia’s planned headquarters site in Taipei’s Beitou Shilin Technology Park could break ground on May 27, Huang said that if the company holds an event, he would
The Ministry of Finance this afternoon announced the winning numbers for the March-April uniform invoice lottery. The winning number for the NT$10 million (US$318,060) special prize is 19531471, and the winning number for the NT$2 million grand prize is 85941329. Three numbers were drawn for the NT$200,000 first prize: 07225810, 20231230 and 83518781. Those with receipts matching the last seven digits of any of the first-prize numbers will win the NT$40,000 second prize, while those matching the last six digits will win the NT$10,000 third prize. Those whose receipts match the last five digits of the first-prize numbers can claim the NT$4,000 fourth prize,
SIX SUBSIDIES: The monthly allowance for older farmers is to increase to NT$10,000, and NT$5,000 is to be given to homemakers under the national pension system, Lai said The government is to implement major welfare policies for disadvantaged groups, including raising the monthly allowance for older farmers to NT$10,000 and providing homemakers with NT$5,000 per month, President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday. Lai made the remarks during a visit to Wangling Temple in Chiayi County, saying that the planned increases were being introduced amid economic growth and an increase in tax revenue. Touting a policy, in which the government plans to provide a monthly allowance of NT$5,000 for every child under the age of 18 in a bid to address Taiwan’s low birthrate, Lai said that if received for the
RSS