Local authorities bill becomes law

(ANSA) - Rome, August 4 - The Lower House on Tuesday approved the so-called local authorities bill, making it into law. The motion passed with 295 in favor, 129 against and no abstentions. The government earlier in the day won a confidence vote on the bill in the House with 364 votes in favour and 185 against. The Senate last week approved the decree among controversy over a measure that will save 2.3 billion euros in national health service spending. The decree - which has now been voted into law - also contains measures allowing municipalities to hire more school teachers, and a 7.5-million-euro "discount" on budget restrictions for Veneto communities devastated by a tornado in July, among others.