Taiwan's long-delayed 2026 central government budget passed with deep cuts, and disabled workers at sheltered workshops may lose a big order — bad news for them, and a fresh political fight for both parties.

• Lawmakers cut and froze most of the Presidential Office's discretionary fund, putting an order for 15,000 Mid-Autumn gift boxes from 37 sheltered workshops and disability groups in doubt.
• The order had already been priced and booked, so workshops now worry about jobs and income for disabled workers.
• KMT lawmaker Weng Hsiao-ling defended the cut, questioning whether the money really helps the disadvantaged and suggesting President Lai pay for the gift boxes out of his own salary.
• DPP lawmaker Wang Shih-chien called it unforgivable, saying support for disabled people was already far too thin to be cutting further.
• The same budget slashed culture funding and public broadcasting money, and the process itself blew up in the legislature, with Speaker Han Kuo-yu publicly berating KMT caucus leader Fu Kun-chi for repeatedly skipping talks.

Outlook: Expect the fight over which cuts get unfrozen to keep running, with the mooncake order the emotional flashpoint heading into Mid-Autumn.