News

    Midland Taiwan Governance Platform Meeting for 4 County and City Mayors will be held on April 15 at the Futian community in Changhua city. Nantou CM Mr. Lin Ming-Chen co-hosted the meeting with Taichung Mayor Lin Chia-Lung, Changhua CM Mr. Wei Ming-Ku, and Miaoli Deputy CM Mrs. Teng Kuei-Chu. Nantou county government has proposed to ask the central government to cut the budget or maintain an affordable budget for each subsidy based on the matching grant rate. It has obtained support from other 3 counties.

    CM Lin said the current subsidy items offered by the Central Government include road construction for the living circle, sewerage, facilities for river flood control, and other mass construction like drainage in district. Most of the projects are long-term projects. Yet, the Central Government keeps increasing the matching grant rate that belongs to the local government, and asks them to afford it. On the other hand, the local government is asked to afford part of the budget by cutting down the entire matching grant. It adds financial pressure to local government. Therefore, it is suggested that the Central Government cut the matching grant rate and make it affordable or maintain an affordable rate as the former subsidy with approval.

    Within the 4 counties and cities in Mid Taiwan, it appears that Nantou and Miaoli counties are the two counties that face with much difficulty when financial affairs are involved. Miaoli County proposed to the central government and asked them to modify Allocation of Government Revenues and Expenditures as well. It appealed to the Central Government to leave the collected tax revenue locally for use. If there is any amount left, the local government will submit the remained tax revenue to the central government. In addition, it can inspire each county or city government to create tax revenue. It can also keep a balance on local development. Such proposal has obtained a response from the Changhua county and Taichung city.

    In addition, Central Taiwan wants to release pressure from disposing waste at each county or city. The 4 counties and cities will ask the EPA to build a new incinerator factory to help dispose of waste coming from each county or city in Mid Taiwan and to help them release pressure for doing it.

    This season, the 4 counties and cities in Mid Taiwan have reached an agreement on 13 collaborative projects. They also proposed 16 projects to ask for resources from the Central Government. In the meeting, 3 county or city mayors from Changhua, Nantou, and Miaoli all proposed Taichung CM Lin to be the co-spokesman on behalf of Central Taiwan. Lin was proposed to be the one to ask for an approval on the projects from the central government.

    After the meeting, the industries from 4 counties and cities in Mid Taiwan started to exchange ideas and watch demo from each other. Nantou County recommended 4 communities, Nangang, Dongguan, Yancheng, and Yingnan to showcase their local specialties. CM Lin said Jiji Lantern Festival would expand its scope and become Nantou Lantern Festival this year. It would attract plenty of crowds to flush in. The power of the community plays an important role. Lin cheered up the 4 county or city communities, and he wanted them to work together and exchange ideas so they can motivate the community development.