Mayor John Horhn - Democratic Mayors

In his first State of the City Address, Mayor John Horhn highlighted significant progress across public safety, infrastructure, housing, community engagement, and economic development, underscoring that Jackson’s renewal is being driven by collaboration, resilience, and collective action.

Mayor Horhn reported that Jackson’s homicide rate dropped by 43% compared to the previous year, crediting prevention efforts, community partnerships, and technology-driven policing. The city conducted seven listening sessions as part of a community-centered search for a new police chief and established a Law Enforcement Task Force to address youth crime and strengthen coordination among local and Capitol police. The Fire Department led 65 community programs, installed residential smoke alarms, and secured $2 million for an early alert fire safety system.

The Mayor announced more than $125 million secured for infrastructure improvements through the 1% sales tax, bonds, and special funds, including $40 million for resurfacing and storm drain projects. Jackson finalized a new partnership with Hinds County for pothole repairs and redirected $54 million in federal funding to JXN Water’s operations and maintenance, ensuring more flexible day-to-day management. To beautify city gateways, the administration launched CleanJXN Gateway Beautification Day to revitalize key corridors, including West Capitol and Fortification Streets.

On housing and community development, Mayor Horhn created a Housing Task Force to protect tenants’ rights and prevent unsafe living conditions, as well as an Unhoused Task Force to address homelessness and housing insecurity. Jackson is working with nonprofits to prevent evictions during service disruptions and to transform vacant lots into green spaces and urban farms. For the first time, the Mississippi Development Authority has assigned a dedicated project officer to Jackson to connect the city with new state-level economic opportunities.

The Mayor emphasized economic development and workforce training as key to Jackson’s growth, noting the statewide shortage of 100,000 skilled jobs. He highlighted partnerships with federal and state agencies to attract investment, downtown revitalization, and a new collaboration with The Bean Path to support young entrepreneurs in technology and AI. Mayor Horhn spotlighted youth engagement programs that empower civic participation, plans to reimagine recreation spaces, and a new guaranteed-income pilot with Magnolia Mother’s Trust, providing $1,000 per month to single mothers in public housing.

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

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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.