ANSA reported on May 12 that Lombardy Governor Maroni may introduce a basic income experiment in Lombardy, Italy.  However, Sandro Gobetti, Coordinator of Basic Income Network Italia, suggests that these reports are unfounded and untrue, saying that Maroni has no intention of implementing a basic income scheme as defined by BIEN.  For a more clear picture of the basic income situation in Italy, please visit Basic Income Network Italia’s website.  Gobetti’s cautionary explanation can be found in the comments of this post, while ANSA’s article is printed below:

 

(ANSA) – Milan, May 12 – Lombardy Governor Roberto Maroni said Monday that his executive intends to introduce, on an experimental basis, a basic-income benefit to ensure all families in the region have enough money to be able to pay for basic necessities. Maroni said he intended to use 220 million euros from from the European Social Fund (ESF) for the initiative. “In Lombardy I want to bring in the first experiment of the basic income, reserved for citizens who are resident in Lombardy, and consistent with the aims of the European Social Fund”. To read ANSA’s article, click here.

Further, a discussion in Italian of this basic income experiment is taking place on Reddit. To read and join the discussion, click here.