Lai unveils budget aimed at cutting deficit

By Chen Yun and Jonathan Chin / Staff reporter, with staff writer Add TT as Preferred Source President William Lai (賴清德) on Tuesday unveiled a NT$3.6 trillion (US$111.4 billion) government budget for next year focusing on balancing the national deficit, slashing taxes and raising wages.The Presidential Office made the announcement in a statement on Tuesday night following a meeting attended by Lai, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) and other senior officials.Although lawmakers have yet to approve this year’s government budget, the office said the Executive Yuan expects to submit next year’s budget to the Legislative Yuan for approval by the end of next month. President William Lai speaks in the Presidential Office Building in Taipei on Tuesday. Photo courtesy of the Presidential Office La