(ANSA) - Rome, July 28 - The floor of the Senate on
Thursday approved a bill reforming the Italian State budget with
184 votes in favour, 23 against and 15 abstentions.
The bill, which incorporates the current annual 'stability
law' on the public finances into the State budget, was not
amended during its passage through the Senate after being
approved by the Lower House.
The reform, a private member's bill signed by Budget
Committee head Francesco Boccia, also features several changes
to Italy's budget documents.
Among other things, it beefs up the ability of the
premier's office and the economy ministry to act in the period
between two annual budget laws if individual ministries
overspend.
It also features the inclusion of a well-being index in
the government's economic blueprint, the economic and financial
document (DEF).
Many experts have said too much emphasis is placed by
leaders on boosting gross domestic product (GDP), which focuses
on economic factors and does not include other aspects affecting
people's standard of living and happiness, and have called for
the use of other indexes that take account of factors such as
education, health, crime and the environment.
Senate approves reform of State budget (2)
Well-being index inserted into government's economic blueprint