Mexico's finance minister denies unfair treatment of Mexico City in 2017 budget

In an interview for the Detrás de la Noticia radio show, José Antonio Meade, Mexico's finance minister, denied unfair treatment of Mexico City in the 2017 budget that the federal government submitted to congress for approval earlier this month.

Addressing comments about the federal government's decision of not allocating any funds next year for the capital city fund that the Mexico City mayor and other local officials made in the days following the submission of the proposal, Meade explained that the city would receive 9.6bn pesos (US$494mn) more in funds for next year in comparison to 2016.

He listed some of the infrastructure and water-related projects that will receive funding for next year, including the 3.4bn pesos (US$174.9mn) that will be allocated for continuing the construction of the Emisor Oriente wastewater treatment tunnel, and the additional 900mn pesos for water infrastructure works that the city will receive from the infrastructure fund Fonadin.

He also mentioned the funds allocated for the construction of the Mexico-Toluca interurban passenger train, which according to the minister will be a beneficial public transportation alternative to go from the Observatorio area to Santa Fe, and solve mobility problems in this part of the city.

"Next year does not look bad for the city," Meade said. "It is being treated with consideration."

The minister added that he will meet with mayor Miguel Ángel Mancera at the end of this week to address the concerns of local authorities.