News Summary for July 9th, 2009

++ PRI senators leader Manlio Fabio Beltrones said the time has come to recover growth as the path for Mexico since, he said, there is no greater punishment for any government than to lose its majority in Congress.

++ Speaking in Spain, central Bank of Mexico governor Guillermo Ortiz urged political actors to begin steps leading to serious reforms, not only the ones that are possible, he said, but also those that are necessary, such as fiscal reform, regardless of Congress’ new makeup.

++ The Finance Secretariat sent Congress an early draft of what will be the 2010 federal budget bill.. It is expected that the budget for 2010 will rise above three trillion pesos… Inflation is being set at three percent, the exchange rate at 14.6 pesos per dollar and the price of oil at 48.3 dollar per barrel…

++ At the summit meeting in L´Aquila, Italy, -- Mexico, Brazil, India, China and South Africa voiced their criticism of protectionism which, they said, is holding back efforts to overcome the world economic crisis.

++ In his appearance before the Congressional Permanent Committee, IMSS director general Daniel Karam, handed in information about more than 1,500 privately-run day care centers that are part of the IMSS nursery system… The information included owners and associates names… Karam said IMSS acknowledges its part of the responsibility in the fire that killed 48 children in the ABC privately-run day care center in Hermosillo, Sonora.

++ The Permanent Committee observed a minute of silence in honor of Mormon leader Benjamín Le Barón, who was assassinated in Chihuahua… after heading protests against kidnappings and extortion… Congressmen called on President Calderón to ensure security of the Mormon community Le Barón headed and asked Attorney General Eduardo Medina Mora to take on the investigation into the killing…