Mayor Jacob Frey - Democratic Mayors

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey delivered his State of the City Address, outlining a clear message that the city is on the right track even as national leadership falters. His remarks centered on the power of local government to meet the moment with competence, compassion, and commitment, especially in contrast to the chaos and uncertainty stemming from the Trump administration. As the federal government threatens community safety, education, affordable housing, climate action, and civil rights, Mayor Frey reiterated the City of Minneapolis’ commitment to each area.

Thanks to an expanding public-safety ecosystem, significant reforms in the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD), increased police officers, and a data-driven approach to tackling violent crime, Minneapolis is safer than it has been in years. The MPD is working tirelessly to rebuild, implement reforms, and engage with the community. In the last year, the city has seen a significant decrease in violent crime, including carjackings, assaults, and shootings. Mayor Frey also shared that the city had a 10% increase in 911 call answer times and made significant progress in clearing the backlog of police conduct review cases.

Since 2018, Minneapolis has produced 8.5 times the amount of affordable housing compared to previous years, and that work continues. This includes 4,700 new affordable housing units since 2018, more than four times the annual average from the seven years prior. Additionally, the Stable Homes Stable Schools program was expanded to every public elementary school in Minneapolis, which serves more than 6,200 students and their families. The city has also significantly reduced the number of homeless encampments since last year.

Through programs such as the Lake Street Lift initiative, the Downtown Action Plan, and the Vibrant Storefronts Initiative, the city is investing in its neighborhoods and entrepreneurs and has seen significant economic growth throughout the community. For the 14th year in a row, construction values topped $1 billion in 2024, and more than 25 entrepreneurs have been supported with almost $13 million through the city’s Ownership and Opportunity Fund.

Watch the Mayor’s full remarks here.

More State of the City Addresses

Las Vegas, Nevada

Mayor Shelley Berkley

Mayor Shelley Berkley delivered her State of the City Address, looking to the future and outlining how Las Vegas will continue to be a leading city that assists those in need, creates new opportunities, and provides safe and beautiful neighborhoods and amenities. She emphasized the city’s continued focus on helping vulnerable residents through expanded services, including the MORE Team pilot program, which connects individuals experiencing homelessness with mental health professionals, health workers, and street medicine, as well as the new Community Court that prioritizes structure, monitoring, and resources over punitive approaches.

Nashville, Tennessee

Mayor Freddie O’Connell

In his State of the Metro Address, Mayor Freddie O’Connell described his vision for a Nashville that is affordable, safe, healthy, welcoming, and prosperous, a city for everyone, and emphasized that progress will be purposeful, even when it is not always loud or linear. He outlined steps his administration will take to make Nashville more affordable, including proposals to cut the grocery tax, expand access to childcare, support small businesses, create jobs, build more housing, and invest in children from birth.

Knoxville, Tennessee

Mayor Indya Kincannon

In her seventh State of the City Address, Mayor Indya Kincannon proposed a lean budget that continues to prioritize public safety, affordable housing, parks, and high-quality people-focused services. She also emphasized the importance of being good stewards of taxpayer dollars, noting that her budget proposal covers essential services without raising taxes, even as the city navigates inflation, rising costs, and broader economic uncertainty.