Mayor Eileen Higgins - Democratic Mayors

Mayor Eileen Higgins delivered her first State of the City Address just over a month into her tenure, speaking directly to residents about the city’s current moment and the work ahead. She highlighted early priorities and initial accomplishments, emphasizing a commitment to listening, cutting red tape, and building a city government that works more effectively for the people it serves.

Mayor Higgins praised Miami’s public safety team, noting that crime is down and that Miami remains one of the safest big cities in America. The city’s economy is strong, with unemployment far below national levels, innovative companies continuing to relocate to Miami, and more than 2,000 small businesses opening their doors in the city last year.

The Mayor spoke about listening closely to residents and city workers who are frustrated by outdated processes and unnecessary red tape. From stalled flood protection projects to aging facilities and permitting delays, Mayor Higgins said the city is ready for change, and her administration is ready to act and build a city government that works for all residents.

To meet that moment, Mayor Higgins outlined how her administration will deliver results people can see and feel. She announced the deployment of Sprint Teams to tackle concrete challenges, break down silos, and solve real problems in real time, including ending long permitting delays this year. The Mayor also detailed the team she has put in place to drive reform and shared her decision to move her office into the administration building to work alongside city staff, underscoring her commitment to building a government that is responsive and ready to work for Miami.

Watch the Mayor’s full remarks here.

More State of the City Addresses

Evansville, Indiana

Mayor Stephanie Terry

In her third State of the City Address, Mayor Stephanie Terry reflected on a year defined by steady progress and continued work to build a vibrant, inclusive community where safety, opportunity, and connection help all residents thrive. Speaking under the theme “Building What Matters,” she emphasized that the city’s progress is driven by people—city employees, partners, and residents—who continue to show up and invest in Evansville’s future.

Scranton, Pennsylvania

Mayor Paige Cognetti

Scranton Mayor Paige G. Cognetti delivered her State of the City Address, outlining a six-year turnaround that has taken the city from the brink of financial distress to a position of stability and growth, while continuing investments in public safety, infrastructure, quality of life, and lower costs for residents. Mayor Cognetti also highlighted Scranton’s financial progress, including three credit rating upgrades since exiting financially distressed status in 2022 and achieving its current A- rating with a stable outlook.

Minneapolis , Minnesota

Mayor Jacob Frey

In his State of the City Address, Mayor Jacob Frey said the city is strong but emphasized that Minneapolis must refocus on the fundamentals of city government and on delivering results. Reflecting on a difficult year marked by disruption and challenges across the community, Mayor Frey said the city demonstrated resilience and resolve while stressing the importance of prioritizing safe streets, stable housing, and a strong local economy.