Central News Agency (CNA Taipei, July 2) The Education and Culture Committee of the Legislative Yuan reviewed the Ministry of Culture's budget for the 115th fiscal year today. The meeting began with a heated debate over the Ministry of Culture's media promotion budget of NT$47.38 million, which lasted for the entire morning. Ultimately, the convener, Kuomintang legislator Luo Ting-wei, ruled to freeze NT$8 million, requiring the Ministry of Culture to submit a written report for committee approval before the funds can be disbursed. The Ministry of Culture's media promotion budget includes expenses for the European "Year of Taiwanese Culture," the "Cultural Voucher" program, preparatory expenses for the National Children's Future Museum and the National Manga Museum, as well as Taipei Fashion Week and the Taiwan Creative Content Fest. Kuomintang legislator Weng Hsiao-ling proposed to delete the entire budget, while Taiwan People's Party legislator Tsai Chun-chu requested a reduction. Democratic Progressive Party legislator Wu Si-yao and others argued for discussing the details and opposed the deletion, leading to a fierce debate. Weng Hsiao-ling questioned past concerns about media promotion funds flowing to specific media outlets, stating, "Government budgets are the hard-earned money of the people and should be spent where it's most needed." Kuomintang legislator Lo Chih-chiang proposed a reduction of NT$25 million, citing a report from the Legislative Yuan's Budget Center that indicated overlap in the Ministry of Culture's global outreach work. He also noted that the media promotion budget had increased from NT$36 million to over NT$43 million in five years, an excessive rise that warrants a comprehensive review. Kuomintang legislator Ke Chih-en agreed with the Budget Center's observation of an "excessive increase" and requested the Ministry of Culture to provide a complete explanation of the budget center's recommendations, along with a clear itemized budget list