Taiwan's opposition KMT is facing a voter backlash push ahead of November's local elections, after budget cuts that hit charity workshops and presidential duties — bad news for KMT and TPP candidates, good news for the ruling DPP's campaign message.

• KMT lawmaker Weng Hsiao-ling called culture funding "bird feed" and moved to strip the president's discretionary budget, killing Mid-Autumn gift-box orders from sheltered workshops that employ disabled people.
• Watchdog group Citizen Congress Watch says "the KMT has become Weng Hsiao-ling-ified," and the real blame lies with every KMT lawmaker who voted for her proposals.
• The DPP is naming eight KMT lawmakers running for mayor or county chief — including Chiang Chi-chen, Ko Chih-en and Hsieh Lung-chieh — and asking voters if they want more of the same.
• Critics say the cuts also wiped out holiday bonuses for troops and left the president without funds for disaster condolence visits, calling it deliberate paralysis of the government.
• Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an and Taoyuan Mayor Chang San-cheng are being criticized for staying silent, and are named as targets too.

Outlook: The November local elections are shaping up as a referendum on the KMT-TPP legislative majority's budget fights, with the DPP betting voters remember who raised their hands.